Twitch Streamer Emily Schunk Assaulted at TwitchCon Meet-and-Greet in San Diego

Twitch streamer and content creator Emily Schunk, widely known online as Emiru, has spoken out following a disturbing assault during a meet-and-greet session at TwitchCon San Diego. The 27-year-old League of Legends streamer and OTK (One True King) member shared a detailed account of the incident on X (formerly Twitter), where she expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support but condemned the event’s security and Twitch’s handling of the situation. The shocking episode, which was captured on video and circulated widely online, has sparked outrage across the streaming community, reigniting debates over safety, accountability, and the treatment of female creators at major gaming conventions.

Emiru’s post not only recounted the traumatic events of that day but also raised broader concerns about TwitchCon’s failure to ensure adequate security for creators and attendees alike. What began as a celebratory fan interaction quickly turned into a moment of fear and disbelief—one that Emiru says could have ended far worse had her own private security not intervened.

A Frightening Encounter in Front of Hundreds

The incident occurred during a scheduled meet-and-greet session at TwitchCon San Diego, one of the platform’s most anticipated annual events, which draws thousands of fans and creators from around the world. Video footage of the attack showed a man breaking through security barriers and approaching Emiru at her booth. As he reached her, he grabbed her and attempted to kiss her before being pushed away by a security guard. Emiru appeared visibly shaken as she was quickly escorted offstage by her team.

In her statement on X, Emiru began by assuring her followers that she was physically okay. “Hello everyone, I am okay and thank you for all of the kind messages, sorry I cannot respond to them all,” she wrote. However, she then described in detail how the assault unfolded, alleging that the man had been able to cross multiple barriers and even cut in front of other creators before reaching her. “He grabbed me and my face and tried to kiss me,” she revealed, emphasizing how fortunate she was that he didn’t succeed. “A lot of people have pointed out it could have been a lot worse,” she added.

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Emiru’s followers and fellow creators expressed both relief and outrage—relief that she was unharmed, but outrage that such an incident could occur in a supposedly secure environment. TwitchCon, which markets itself as a safe and inclusive community event, has faced scrutiny before for its handling of creator safety, but this episode appears to have reignited deep-seated frustrations within the streaming community.

Failure of Security and Twitch’s “Blatant Lie”

What disturbed Emily Schunk most, according to her statement, was not only the attack itself but the apparent inaction and indifference of Twitch’s official security team. She made clear that the security personnel seen intervening in the video were not TwitchCon staff but her own hired team. “I don’t understand how the person was allowed to make his way to me in the first place,” she wrote. “It’s true my favorite and usual security guard was banned for holding a stalker’s arm to bring him to police, at a past TwitchCon.”

This revelation sparked additional criticism toward TwitchCon’s approach to managing security incidents involving creators and fans. Emiru noted that despite the presence of several TwitchCon security staff in the area, none appeared to react promptly or even appear in the video footage. “They let the perpetrator walk away,” she said. “None of the TwitchCon staff came to ask what happened or if I was okay.”

Didn’t know they banned her preferred body guard. Hopefully they make a change (also here’s the clip if anyone missed it)
pic.twitter.com/wPMuKknrCv

— beckett‼️ (@ecombeckett) October 18, 2025

She further described how the aftermath of the incident felt almost surreal in its lack of professionalism. The woman who escorted her away was her manager, and the people who comforted her afterward were her manager and a close friend—not Twitch staff. “My friend who was present told me Twitch security were also behind the booth afterwards joking about how they didn’t even see what happened and immediately laughing and moving on to talking about something else,” Emiru wrote. “So if no one was checking if I was okay or if I needed anything and they let the guy run away initially, I have no idea what anyone hired to keep the event safe was doing LOL.”

Perhaps most damningly, Emiru accused Twitch of lying in their official response to the situation. According to her, Twitch issued a statement claiming that the assailant had been “immediately caught and detained,” but she disputes this version of events entirely. “I’m sorry but that is a blatant lie,” she declared. “He was allowed to walk away from my meet-and-greet and I didn’t hear he was caught until hours after he attacked me, and it felt like this only happened because of my manager pressing for it, not because TwitchCon staff present thought it was a big deal.”

Her comments not only challenge the platform’s credibility but also suggest that Twitch’s post-incident narrative was an attempt at damage control rather than an honest account of their failure to act swiftly and responsibly. This has only added to public anger and demands for accountability. Many fans and fellow streamers have since taken to social media to criticize Twitch for downplaying the seriousness of the assault and for neglecting the safety of its creators.

Community Backlash and Emiru’s Decision to Leave TwitchCon

The fallout from Emiru’s statement has been swift and widespread. Within hours, hashtags such as #ProtectCreators and #TwitchCon began trending on X, as fans, fellow streamers, and industry figures demanded answers. Many users highlighted that this was not the first time TwitchCon had been criticized for inadequate safety measures, referencing past incidents involving harassment, stalkers, and even physical injuries due to poor event planning.

For Emiru, the incident has been a breaking point. In her post, she announced that she would no longer attend future TwitchCon events—a significant statement from someone who has been a regular attendee for nearly a decade. “This is definitely my last TwitchCon,” she wrote. “And it saddens me to say as a 10-year off and on attendee of TwitchCon, I think other creators should seriously consider not attending in the future. I did not feel cared for or protected, even bringing my own security and staff. I can’t imagine how creators without those options would feel.”

Her words underscore the broader issue facing content creators, especially women, who frequently deal with stalking, harassment, and safety threats both online and in person. TwitchCon, intended as a celebration of the platform’s community, has increasingly become a venue where such concerns are spotlighted rather than resolved.

Many creators and fans have echoed Emiru’s sentiments, calling for sweeping changes in how Twitch handles event security and creator protection. Some have even called for TwitchCon to be temporarily suspended until the company can implement concrete safety measures. “If one of the most high-profile streamers needs to bring her own private security to feel safe, what does that say about Twitch’s ability to protect anyone else?” one X user asked in a viral post.

Twitch has yet to issue a detailed follow-up statement addressing Emiru’s allegations directly, but the platform is now facing mounting pressure to respond transparently and meaningfully. Critics argue that anything short of a full investigation and public accountability would signal a continued disregard for creator safety—a perception Twitch can ill afford given its already strained relationship with parts of its community.

A Broader Reckoning for Twitch and the Convention Circuit

The Emiru incident has reignited a larger conversation about safety, gender dynamics, and corporate responsibility within the streaming and gaming convention landscape. Female streamers, in particular, have long reported feeling unsafe at public events, where fan enthusiasm can sometimes cross into harassment or physical boundary violations. Many of these creators rely on TwitchCon and similar events to connect with their audiences and network professionally, yet incidents like this one threaten to make such spaces inaccessible or dangerous.

Emiru’s experience has also cast doubt on Twitch’s preparedness and crisis management protocols. Her claim that Twitch staff were laughing and joking about the incident immediately afterward has been particularly damaging, suggesting not just incompetence but a culture of indifference. If verified, this detail could prompt significant reputational damage for Twitch, which has already faced criticism in recent years over issues of harassment, inconsistent moderation, and lack of support for creators.

The outrage online has also been amplified by the viral nature of the video. Seeing the assault unfold in real time has given weight to Emiru’s words and intensified public empathy and anger. Many streamers have since shared their own negative experiences with TwitchCon or other fan events, painting a troubling picture of systemic neglect when it comes to safety and accountability.

Industry observers note that Twitch now faces a critical test. The company will need to go beyond issuing statements and take concrete steps to rebuild trust. This could include mandating stricter background checks for attendees, improving on-site surveillance, expanding the number of trained security personnel, and establishing dedicated response teams for incidents involving creators. Some have even suggested that Twitch should partner with independent security experts rather than relying solely on in-house or contracted staff.

Emiru’s decision to publicly call out Twitch and vow not to return to future conventions represents a major blow to the platform’s image. As one of Twitch’s most recognizable personalities, her withdrawal underscores a growing sentiment among creators that their well-being is not being prioritized. If others follow suit, TwitchCon’s future may be in jeopardy—not because of declining interest, but because of eroding trust.

While Emiru assured her followers that she would discuss more details in an upcoming Twitch stream, her closing remarks on X were sobering. She thanked her fans for their kindness and ended her statement with a message of resilience: “Stay safe y’all, everything is going to be okay.” For many, those words served as a bittersweet reminder that safety in public spaces should not be a matter of luck or personal security budgets—it should be a guarantee provided by the platforms that profit from their creators’ fame and hard work.

In the aftermath of this shocking incident, the streaming community continues to rally around Emiru, demanding justice, transparency, and change. What happens next—both from Twitch and from the broader industry—will determine whether creators can once again trust that conventions meant to celebrate them will truly keep them safe.