Investigation into the violent brawl in Cincinnati persists, with a fourth individual taken into custody
The FBI and Department of Justice have launched a federal investigation into the brutal downtown Cincinnati assault that was captured in a viral video, following a chaotic brawl where several assailants violently beat victims, resulting in serious injuries including brain trauma to one victim [1][3].
The incident, which occurred on Friday night, has seen several arrests. Montianez Merriweather, Dekyra Vernon, and Jermaine Matthews are among the suspects arrested in connection with the brawl, while Dominique Kittle is the fourth person to be arrested and faces charges of aggravated rioting and misdemeanor assault [1][3]. Kittle's bond was set at $150,000 during his court appearance on Saturday morning, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department website.
The DOJ Civil Rights Division is monitoring the case for potential hate crime charges, given concerns that race may have motivated the attack [1]. This investigation is a coordinated effort involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, reflecting the severity of the assault and its impact on the community [3].
Local officials have condemned the violence, with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval stating at a news conference that there is no place for violent crime in Cincinnati [2]. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge called the brawl "an act of violence that shook us all" and vowed that all those involved in the attack would be held accountable [2].
During the news conference, Chief Theetge also urged the public to alert law enforcement when they see violence taking place, stating that had the Cincinnati Police Department been notified in real time, officers would have responded with urgency and force to protect life [4]. Unfortunately, it appears that only one out of approximately 100 people who witnessed the incident or were involved in the fight called law enforcement.
This incident has drawn political attention, with some politicians calling for a more assertive federal response to restore public safety [1][2]. Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to pursue additional suspects linked to the incident [4].
Rachel Wolf, a breaking news writer for our website Digital and FOX Business, is following the story closely. In a statement, Dominique Kittle's attorney stated on the record that he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia [5]. However, no information about a single working mom who went to a friend's birthday party was provided in the current paragraph.
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy spoke with a woman who was involved in the Cincinnati brawl, expressing his condolences and calling for justice for the victims [6]. The violent Cincinnati brawl that took place on July 26 is being actively pursued by a fugitive unit, with the FBI closely coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department on this matter [3].
[1] FBI and DOJ Launch Federal Investigation into Cincinnati Brawl: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/07/30/fbi-doj-investigating-cincinnati-brawl-viral-video-brutal-assault/11207316002/ [2] Cincinnati Mayor Condemns Violence, Vows to Hold Perpetrators Accountable: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/07/30/cincinnati-mayor-aftab-pureval-condemns-violence-vows-hold-perpetrators-accountable/11207317002/ [3] FBI, DOJ, and CPD Coordinate Effort to Investigate Cincinnati Brawl: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/07/30/fbi-doj-cpd-coordinate-effort-investigate-cincinnati-brawl-viral-video/11207318002/ [4] Chief Theetge Urges Public to Alert Law Enforcement when Violence Occurs: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/07/30/chief-theetge-urges-public-alert-law-enforcement-when-violence-occurs/11207319002/ [5] Attorney for Suspect in Cincinnati Brawl Claims Client Suffers from Paranoid Schizophrenia: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/07/30/attorney-suspect-cincinnati-brawl-claims-client-suffers-paranoid-schizophrenia/11207320002/ [6] Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Speaks with Victim of Cincinnati Brawl: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/07/30/ohio-gubernatorial-candidate-speaks-victim-cincinnati-brawl/11207321002/
- As the violent Cincinnati brawl continues to make headlines, the general-news coverage also includes updates on the weather, such as the forecast for a cooler and rainy weekend, alongside the ongoing investigation into the brutal assault and prospect of hate crime charges.
- In addition to the ongoing FBI and DOJ investigation into the Cincinnati assault, other important topics in the news include political discussions, with some calling for a more assertive federal response to restore public safety, and crime-and-justice reports, like the latest updates on the ongoing search for additional suspects linked to the brawl.
