Cincinnati's restaurants and hospitality sector voice opinions following a violent altercation that gained widespread attention online
In the heart of Cincinnati's downtown core, on the corner of Elm Street and Fourth Street, a disturbing incident occurred on July 26, 2025. A brawl, captured on video and subsequently going viral on social media, has led to the arrest of four individuals: Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather, Dekyra Vernon, and Dominique Kittle [1].
Merriweather faces charges of felonious assault, misdemeanor assault, and aggravated rioting, with a bond set at $500,000 total. Vernon is charged with felonious assault, misdemeanor assault, and aggravated rioting, with a bond of $200,000. Kittle faces charges of aggravated rioting and misdemeanor assault, with a bond of $150,000. Kittle's attorney has stated that he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia [1].
The violence during the brawl resulted in two people being attacked, with one woman, Holly, reportedly knocked unconscious [2]. Authorities are still searching for a fifth and sixth suspect related to this incident [3].
In the wake of this incident, a statement was issued by members of Cincinnati's restaurant and hospitality industry, condemning violence in any form and emphasizing the importance of the safety of guests, team members, and neighborhoods [4]. The statement was signed by 15 owners of multiple establishments, including Skyline Chili, a Cincinnati-based chain.
A new footage of the Cincinnati brawl, filmed from the opposite angle, surfaced on July 28, 2025. The video shows individuals yelling racial slurs as the violence unfolds. However, it is unclear who is yelling the racial slur in the new footage [5].
Kittle had his first court appearance on Saturday [6]. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5] [6] [Source 6]
- The turbulent incident on Elm Street and Fourth Street in Cincinnati's downtown core has caused a stir in the general news, bringing attention to the crime-and-justice sector, as four individuals are under arrest and a hunt continues for two more suspects.
- The recent brawl in Cincinnati has led to discussions in various sectors, including politics and economy, as businesses have expressed concern over the safety of their guests and team members, and court bonds for the arrestees have reached substantial amounts totaling over $950,000.
