Accused Philly riot looter 'Meatball' asks fans for cash as 'welcome home' gift
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A social media influencer who allegedly filmed herself participating in last week’s riots and looting in Philadelphia is taking advantage of her new-found infamy by grifting for cash.
Dayjia Blackwell – known online as “Meatball” – took to Instagram to tell her side of the story while also advertising her CashApp account to encourage fans to send her cash as a “welcome home” gift so she can hire a lawyer and get her toes painted.
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“All I want to do is go treat myself,” Blackwell told her more than 10,000 fans during an Instagram Live on Thursday.
The 21-year-old, who boasts more than 200,000 fans on Instagram, told viewers she spent hours in a cell after being arrested, noting she was traumatized by the ordeal.
“I’m traumatized, I would never go back in my life,” she said, per the New York Post. ” They’re trying to make somebody I wasn’t. They really did me dirty because of who I was. That was corny, that was corny.”
Blackwell allegedly livestreamed herself on Sept. 19 participating in the riots as looters smashed glass windows, breaking into stores and stealing merchandise.
During the stream, Blackwell allegedly filmed people looting the Apple Store and could be heard screaming, “Free iPhones! Free iPhones!”
“This is what happens when we don’t get justice in this city,” said Blackwell.
“Meatball” was among 50 people arrested after the night of looting.
She was charged with causing/risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, riot, aiding consummation, access to communication, and disorderly conduct.
On Instagram, Blackwell said she wanted the numerous charges expunged because she is a “good person” and a “businesswoman.”
“I don’t like it,” she said. “I didn’t know this s— would go this far. I’m young, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m a comedian, this is what I do … This s— is gonna reflect on my life.”
Further capitalizing on her new found attention, “Meatball” uploaded her mugshot – which shows tears streaming down her face – on social media.
Philadelphia was the subject of protests last week after charges were dismissed in relation to the police shooting of Eddie Irizarry.
Police say the looting and riots were not related to the protests.
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