Video “Mess-With-a-Crack-Head” Challenge on TikTok Results in Murder in Times Square and Murder on Henry St in Binghamton NY

NEW YORK; New York Daily News, May 7, 2026 Updated 22 hrs ago.  A 17-year-old boy stopped by cops for jumping a turnstile at a Brooklyn subway stop Thursday has been arrested in connection with a Times Square stabbing inspired by a TikTok trend, police said. After he was caught, the teen admitted that he zeroed in on Leonides Baez, 39, outside of Burger & Lobster restaurant on Monday because he was following a “mess-with-a-crack-head” challenge on TikTok, a police source said. Baez was sleeping on the sidewalk when the teen approached and started antagonizing him, the source said. The teen was caught jumping a turnstile at the Stillwell Ave. station in Coney Island just after midnight Thursday. Cops quickly realized he was wanted for the Times Square stabbing.

Peter James Bennedum, a 45-year-old unhoused man from Binghamton, New York, died on May 5, 2026, after being brutally beaten in an attack that authorities say was part of the TikTok social media trend “Mess-With-a-Crack-Head” Challenge. The Attack and Death, Date of Assault: April 27, 2026. Location: Near Carroll and Henry streets in downtown Binghamton.

Incident Details: Five teenagers allegedly kicked and punched Bennedum in the head and body, recording the assault to post online at TikTok. Death: Bennedum was hospitalized in critical condition and removed from life support, passing away at 1:21 p.m. on May 5, 2026. Cause of Death: An autopsy confirmed his death as a homicide due to the “Mess-With-a-Crack-Head” Challenge on TikTok.


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