Social Media Influencer Arrested for Inciting Riots in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA – A popular social media influencer from Philadelphia, Dayjia Blackwell, also known as “Meatball,” was arrested Tuesday night for her involvement in the looting that took place in the city. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney confirmed the arrest, stating that Blackwell “livestreamed the whole thing, wound up with 12,000 followers and created, basically incited the riot.”
Blackwell now faces several charges, including conspiracy, criminal mischief, riot, and disorderly conduct, among others, according to police reports. Videos posted on her Instagram stories show Blackwell seemingly cheering on the crowd as they robbed the Apple store in Center City, shouting “free iPhones.” She can also be seen walking with the crowd as they moved to different stores and driving to different parts of the city.
The crime spree occurred in various locations, including Port Richmond, Northeast Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and Center City. Stores such as Footlocker, Apple, and Lululemon were among those targeted by the looters. The police were alerted to the situation around 8 p.m. by numerous calls reporting large crowds entering Center City.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner John M. Stanford emphasized that Tuesday night’s looting was unrelated to the peaceful protest that occurred earlier that day in response to the dismissal of charges against the officer involved in the shooting death of Eddie Irizarry.
In response to the incident, the police have arrested at least 50 individuals and expect more arrests as their investigation continues. Commissioner Stanford expressed that Blackwell’s involvement may have led to the arrest of other participants, stating, “She may be responsible for a lot of other people being arrested because she encouraged those folks, and they were, quite frankly, dumb enough to engage and participate, and there are going to be consequences for that.”
The chaos caused many businesses to close on Wednesday as city leaders work to address the aftermath. The City of Philadelphia Commerce Director, Anne Nadol, stated that they are collaborating with community development corporations and business corridor managers to provide them with the necessary support for security initiatives, cleanup, and insurance.
When contacted by NBC10, Blackwell’s mother confirmed her daughter’s arrest and pleaded for her release, concluding the conversation by saying “Free Dayjia.”
As the investigation into the looting continues, city officials are determined to hold individuals accountable for their actions and ensure the safety and security of their communities.