5 suspects charged, 1 911 call from crowd. What we know about the viral Cincinnati fight
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge did not disclose the charges or names of the suspects, who are not in custody, during an afternoon press conference July 28, but said anyone involved who caused harm to another person will "face consequences."
Multiple videos of the 3 a.m. fight Downtown on July 26 circulated on social media over the weekend, raising concerns about safety amid the city's recent push to reduce crime in its urban core.
In one of the videos, a group of people is seen striking a man until he falls to the ground as they continue to punch and kick him. Shortly after, another man is seen punching a woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground, where she remained motionless until a person helped pick her back up.
The fight has become the subject of outcry by people such as Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval.
Politics, race and crime: Why a fight in Cincinnati went viral on social media
City leaders are expected to discuss public safety concerns Downtown during a community meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, at the main branch of the Cincinnati Public Library. City Manager Sheryl Long, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge and 3CDC President and CEO Steve Leeper plan to attend.
Here's what we know.
When and where did the fight happen?
The fight broke out around 3 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, near Fourth and Elm streets in downtown Cincinnati, Theetge said.
The chief said police only received one 911 call about the fight at 3:06 a.m. Two officers who were stuck in gridlock traffic, she said, responded six minutes later at 3:12 a.m. When officers arrived, the fight had broken up and the majority of people were gone.
The chief defended officers' response time to the incident, noting that traffic was congested due to what she said was more than 150,000 people in the area that day to attend the Cincinnati Music Festival, a Reds baseball game and the Big3 basketball game.
Has anyone been arrested after the fight Downtown?
No arrests have been made as of Monday evening, police said, but five people have been charged in connection with the fight. Theetge advised those people involved to turn themselves in as investigators continue to identify people in videos of the fight.
"Anyone who put their hands on another individual during this incident in an attempt to cause harm will face consequences," Theetge said. "I don't care which side of the incident or the fight they were on."
More: Cincinnati police chief says 5 were charged in Downtown fight shown in viral videos
She declined to identify them or their charges publicly, citing the ongoing effort to locate them. Police anticipate more people will be charged.
What led up to the fight Downtown?
Police have not provided any additional details on what led up to the fight.
Theetge previously said the fight was not connected to the Cincinnati Music Festival that took place from Thursday to Saturday.
"This was a sudden dispute between individuals following a verbal altercation," Theetge said in her July 26 statement. The "verbal altercation" can be seen at the beginning of one of the videos shared on Facebook.
On Tuesday, July 29: Downtown residents host meeting with city leaders to talk crime
What have officials said about the Downtown fight?
Local officials and national figures have weighed in on the fight, which has gone viral online:
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said he is "confident that arrests are forthcoming" and that he is "outraged by the vicious fight that occurred Downtown."
Vice President JD Vance said a large fight in Cincinnati that went viral on social media is proof of "way too much lawlessness" in American cities.
Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, retweeted a post on X from Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno and said, "Our federal hate crimes laws apply to ALL Americans." Dhillon said that the division will monitor how local authorities handle this incident.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said in a statement to The Enquirer that she will prosecute the attackers "to the fullest extent of the law."
Elon Musk retweeted a video of the fight and said, "That guy almost killed this woman. Aggravated assault."
Cincinnati mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, the half-brother of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, called for "the immediate resignation or removal of City Manager Sheryl Long."
What we don't know
It is not known what led up to the fight. Theetge did not provide additional details during a news conference Monday, saying that body camera footage from officers who arrived showed the crowd had mostly dispersed by that point.
Police have not said exactly how many people were injured or the extent of their injuries. Theetge said she did not know whether anyone went to the hospital afterward, but all victims were still on the scene when officers arrived and appeared to be "as well as could possibly be expected."
Reporters Cameron Knight and Quinlan Bentley contributed
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati fight video leads 5 suspects to be identified by police
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lying on a personal loan application is a bad idea
Key takeaways Providing false information on your personal loan application can lead to serious financial and legal consequences. Fill out your personal loan application with the most accurate and truthful information possible. If you don't qualify for a personal loan without lying, work to improve your finances instead of borrowing. Lying on a loan application is far from harmless and is considered fraud. While it can be tempting to misrepresent your income, employment or assets to seem more appealing to lenders, you could face serious consequences. 'Lenders typically have multiple layers of fraud detection in place to track potential fraud at application, after approval and before funding,' says Denny Ceizyk, former loan originator and senior writer for Bankrate's consumer lending team. 'Many of these processes are automated, but it's not uncommon for humans to add an extra manual check before funding your loan.' Knowing how lenders verify information and how to submit a strong and honest application can ensure a quicker approval process and help you avoid red flags on your profile. Lying on a personal loan may lead to rejection or worse You could face serious consequences if you lie on a loan application. Whether it's providing an incorrect salary or falsifying documents, you could lose your loan, tarnish your financial health and potentially face criminal consequences. Financial consequences Loan cancellation: You could lose your loan if the lender discovers that you falsified the contents of your application. The company may cancel the loan before disbursement, or if you've already received the funds, you may have to repay the full debt immediately. Financial hardship: If you lie to get a loan you ordinarily wouldn't qualify for, you could end up with a debt that you cannot repay. Missing payments will lead to damage to your credit score, loan default. Criminal consequences Fines and legal fees: Your lender may sue you for repayment. Fines and legal fees will be added to the immediate repayment of the funds you borrowed. Jail time: Going to prison for lying on an application is rare, but it does happen. These typically follow larger criminal acts — like identity theft — but you are still putting yourself at risk. Real life consequences for lying on a loan application In 2022, a Buffalo, New York man pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a financial institution. His application for a personal loan from Discover Bank inflated his income and misrepresented his employment. He did the same for a credit card and line of credit application. This led to an investigation by the FBI, and the man faced the maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Months later, the court sentenced him to time served and released him on a three-year supervision. In addition, the court required restitution in the amount of $36,600 and a $100 penalty assessment. The consequences of lying on a loan application for this man were a felony offense, time in prison, three years of supervision and $36,700 in fines. How do lenders find out you lied on your application? 'With personal loans, lenders are mostly focused on employment, earnings and identity fraud,' says Ceizyk. To get a personal loan, you will need to provide personal and financial information with supporting documentation that lenders will check and compare for inconsistencies and inaccuracies. What lenders may verify Why they verify it How they verify it Name and age Lenders want to make sure you are who you say you are and are the eligible age to borrow. Your license, passport or other government-issued photo ID Address To be able to send bills and other communication, lenders make sure they have the correct contact information. Utility bills, mortgage statement or rent agreement Residency status Many lenders will require you or your cosigner to be a U.S. citizen or have additional requirements for non-citizens. Valid government-issued ID, visa or green card, Social Security number or individual tax identification number (ITIN) Employment Proof of employment shows you have a steady income to be able to pay back your loan. Pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, 1099s and new offer letters Income and assets Lenders want to make sure you have money to pay the loan back, including money from your income, saved money and other assets. Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, retirement account information Current debt Knowing how much you already owe helps lenders understand your other financial commitments and whether you can handle another debt. Credit report Credit score and credit history Your credit score and credit history help the lender determine whether you are successful at managing your debts and making on-time payments. Credit report Collateral, for secured loans If you're using collateral to secure a loan, the lender will want to know you legally own the asset and its value will cover the loan balance. Appraisal reports, automated valuation models, deeds, titles and other proof of ownership Ceizyk also notes that you may need to provide additional documents if you're self employed or work for a small, family-owned business. '[Lenders] will look for red flags like employment verifications by family members, or companies without a valid business license or verifiable address,' he says. Loan application fraud also includes altering the documents you provide lenders to help them verify your information. Keep in mind that lenders also have tools for detecting whether a document has been altered, modified or edited. How to ensure accuracy on a loan application All of your must be accurate when you submit a personal loan application. Any error or questionable answer can be a red flag, even if it's unintentional. To ensure your loan application has the most accurate information, keep the following tips in mind. Proofread your application, documents and other information Check your application for misspellings or any other errors that could get flagged. You could even have a trusted loved one review the application as an extra set of eyes. Review the supporting documents you plan to provide for misspellings or outdated information. For example, if you recently moved and never updated your license, make sure you get it updated before applying. Look through your credit report for errors that may negatively impact your credit score or eligibility or, at the very least, slow down the verification process. Consider variable earnings 'Don't pick your best sales month if you're commissioned or self-employed to qualify for a loan. Lenders will almost always average out any variable income over 12 to 24 months,' says Ceizyk. 'However, if your recent earnings are on the rise, you can certainly provide a letter and copies of the recent paychecks to support the idea that your earnings are on the rise. Lenders may be willing to lend you slightly more if your income is rising, not falling.' Contact the lender If you have questions or need clarification, contact the lender. Customer service hours and contact information should be on the lender's website. There may even be a live chat option to help with basic application questions. Additionally, update the lender as soon as possible if there are any changes to your employment, income or contact information. The best personal loan rates of 2025 When your credit profile is in good shape, you're ready to compare Bankrate's picks for the best personal loan lenders. Learn more How to strengthen your loan application without lying There are a few ways you can strengthen your loan application. Some strategies work for current applications while others may require waiting to borrow until you're in a better financial position. For personal loan applications that can't wait For issues that may have been rectified but are harder to verify, Ceizyk recommends including a letter of recommendation backed by supporting documentation. 'If you were out of work due to an accident, or were laid off but have a new full-time job, providing a letter along with proof of the accident, medical bills, lay-off notice or new job offer could improve your approval odds,' he says. You could also apply with a creditworthy co-signer or co-borrower to your application may improve your chances of being approved. However, the other person will need to qualify as well — and should know they can be held responsible for payment. 10 alternatives to personal loans and who they're for If you worry about your ability to qualify for a personal loan, these other products may provide a safer option than lying on an application Explore your options For personal loan application that can wait Credit score is one of the most critical aspects lenders consider. A positive payment history, low credit utilization ratio and a strong credit mix are parts of your credit score you can work to increase. Continue to make on-time payments for at least the minimum amount due to foster a positive payment history — the biggest factor in credit score. You can also pay down your debts to lower your utilization ratio. By increasing your income through a raise or side hustle, you can put more money toward your debt. Earning more and lowering your debt also helps lower your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which may be another qualification requirement for a loan. Learn more: How to build credit fast Bottom line Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to borrowing money. Lying on a loan application has the potential for severe and long-term consequences. A lender's requirements for borrowing money are in place to protect them from losing money and to protect you from landing in a financial situation you can't manage. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New chief constable pledges ‘exceptional policing' on first day
The new chief constable for Hampshire police has pledged to deliver 'exceptional policing' as he starts in the role. Alexis Boon has joined the force from the Metropolitan Police, where he led commands in local policing, specialist crime and counter terrorism. His arrival follows former chief constable Scott Chilton's departure after the Echo revealed he was facing a probe for not disclosing a past relationship with a junior officer. Mr Chilton quit in April after being told he was under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct for gross misconduct. Speaking on his first day in the role, Mr Boon said he is keen for the force to focus on listening to and working with communities in the county. 'Engaging with purpose will help us prevent crime and bring more criminals to justice', he said. He added: 'I joined policing because I firmly believe in public service. 'I know the exceptional officers, staff and volunteers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight share my commitment to be there for our communities, especially when they need us most.' READ MORE: Dangerous driver ran red lights and drove wrong way on roundabouts during chase Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones said she has urged Mr Boon to continue the improvements recently outlined in the PEEL report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. She added that his 'wealth of experience' will be a huge advantage to the force. She said: 'We are a large force but we are still under capacity for the amount of officers we have for our communities. 'Recruitment is a major priority and I've urged Alexis to ensure the officers I have already funded are on our streets as quickly as possible. 'We are both clear that our aim, going forward, is to drive up charge rates, protect communities and get more bobbies on the beat. 'Together we want to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the safest places to live, work and visit.'
CBS News
26 minutes ago
- CBS News
NYC office building reopens week after mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan
The New York City office building where a gunman fatally shot four people and himself reopened Monday, one week after the deadly rampage. Workers returned to 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan under the watchful eyes of NYPD officers and a surplus of additional security following the mass shooting. According to investigators, gunman Shane Tamura was targeting the National Football League headquarters when he unloaded 47 rounds from an assault rifle, killing four people, including an off-duty NYPD officer, before turning the gun on himself. Many companies inside the building left it up to employees to decide whether they were ready to return. The NFL told its employees to work remotely until the end of the week, and Blackstone officials said their workers were given the option to work from home. The shooting victims were identified as NYPD Det. Didarul Islam, Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, Rudin Management employee Julia Hyman and security officer Aland Etienne. LaPatner, Hyman and Islam, were laid to rest last week. Etienne's funeral will be held on Saturday. "I just feel sad, you know. That's really what I feel at this point in time. Just very sad for all the innocent lives lost," a man who works at the Bank of America on the ground floor said. "It's not going to feel the same because now every time that you walk by here now, it's just, unfortunately, stained." He added that his colleagues had helped one of the shooting victims open a bank account. St. Bartholomew's Church, next door to 345 Park Ave., raised a banner offering its support to workers still healing from the trauma inflicted by the shooting. "We are here for you," the banner reads, a small comfort amid unimaginable grief.
