During the festive New Year's Eve celebrations in Cologne, Germany, Twitch streamer Kunshikitty, who boasts nearly 223,000 followers, was the victim of two separate attacks, both of which occurred while she was broadcasting live. The first incident took place roughly fifteen minutes before the stroke of midnight. Video footage captured a hand launching an object at the influencer's head as she navigated through the crowd in a pink outfit. The assailant was momentarily visible before blending into the throng of revelers.
Kunshikitty's immediate reaction to the impact was heard by thousands of her viewers. "Ow, ow, I’ve been hit by something. I’ve been hit on the head by something," she exclaimed during the live stream. Shortly thereafter, while addressing the initial attack with her audience, the streamer was struck again by another projectile. The specifics of the object involved in the second assault, as well as whether the same individual was responsible for both attacks, remain uncertain.
The streamer later remarked reflectively on the aggression, suggesting that her physical appearance may have influenced the assailant's behavior: "I think if I were a two-meter-tall bouncer, they wouldn’t have done that." Following these distressing events, Kunshikitty announced her intention to report the attacks to the police. Cologne police have since confirmed the initiation of an investigation, utilizing the clear video evidence from Kunshikitty's live stream to aid their efforts.
Amidst the turmoil, speculation arose on social media regarding the streamer's motives for her live broadcast from the event. Some reports suggested that Kunshikitty intended to demonstrate the safety of women in the presence of migrants during New Year's Eve celebrations. However, she has refuted these claims, criticizing certain platforms for fostering toxic environments and echo chambers that distort reality.
This series of attacks is not the first instance of Kunshikitty facing harassment during a public stream. Several months earlier, during Oktoberfest, she was verbally and physically harassed by an inebriated man, an incident also subject to a police investigation. No charges were filed in that case, but the offender later apologized to the streamer.
As the investigation into the New Year's Eve assaults progresses, authorities remain focused on identifying the suspect or suspects involved. Meanwhile, the broader implications of these events on public safety, online broadcasting, and the well-being of content creators continue to be a topic of concern and discussion.
