Cincinnati Attack: Mayor Promises Legal Action Against All Involved Following Pastor's Claim of Ongoing Racial Tension
In the heart of downtown Cincinnati, a violent street attack has sent shockwaves through the community. Four suspects have been arrested and charged, while two others remain on the run.
Mayor Aftab Pureval and Police Chief Teresa Theetge held a press conference to discuss the incident. Theetge confirmed that five people have been charged in total, with two suspects still at large.
Among the arrested suspects are Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather, and Dekyra Vernon. Merriweather and Vernon are currently in jail, facing charges of felonious assault, aggravated riot, and assault. Merriweather is being held on a $500,000 bond, while Vernon is being held on a $200,000 bond.
The fourth suspect, Dominique Kittle, 37, was arrested Friday evening. He is expected to be charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot.
The identity of the two fugitive suspects has not been publicly revealed by authorities. They have been charged but their identities have not been disclosed pending their capture by a fugitive task force.
Reverend Damon Lynch, a local pastor, provided a version of events based on video footage he claimed he's seen. He stated that race is still a factor in the assault's aftermath until "all the mugshots" are seen.
Jermaine Matthews, one of the suspects in the brutal attack, was expected to be released on bond on Friday. However, Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor David Hickenlooper weighed in, stating that Matthews was not rendering aid but dragging the unconscious victim into the middle of the street.
Matthews' attorney, Brandon Fox, stated that Matthews did not start the fight and is not responsible for knocking unconscious the male victim seen in the viral video. Fox also claimed that one of the victims used racial slurs before the fight.
The city's fugitive apprehension unit is actively pursuing the two remaining suspects.
Peter D'Abrosca, a new reporter for our website Digital, joined the team in 2025, previously working as a politics reporter at The Tennessee Star. He grew up in Rhode Island and is a graduate of Elon University. Follow him on Twitter at @pmd_reports and send story tips to [email protected].
In the wake of the attack, Cincinnati City Councilwoman Victoria Parks made comments on Facebook that were denounced by Mayor Aftab Pureval. Pureval stated that observers have inflamed racial tensions in the aftermath of the attack.
Six victims have been identified in the viral attack - five males and one female. The names of the three remaining suspects will be released when they are captured.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits the apprehension of the two remaining suspects and a resolution to this violent incident.
- Despite the ongoing investigation and arrests in the downtown Cincinnati street attack, the identities of the two remaining suspects are yet to be disclosed by authorities.
- The city's general news outlets are closely following the events surrounding the attack, including updates on the fugitive task force's pursuit of the two fugitive suspects.
- As the crime-and-justice case progresses, politics seems to be taking a back seat in Cincinnati, with Mayor Aftab Pureval addressing comments made by City Councilwoman Victoria Parks that were denounced as inflaming racial tensions.
