What started fight in Cincinnati? City is focus after brawl videos go viral. What we know
Viral videos of a fight in downtown Cincinnati have thrust the city into the national spotlight. Now, local officials are working to pick up the pieces, mitigate crime and address the public's safety concerns.
Gov. Mike DeWine said on July 30 that the Ohio State Highway Patrol is "working and in-touch" with the Cincinnati Police Department after Mayor Aftab Pureval accepted his offer for some law enforcement assistance.
Pureval, who's been away from Cincinnati on a long-planned family vacation, expressed "deep appreciation" for the governor and his assistance to local law enforcement.
How Ohio will help Cincinnati fight crime
In an interview with WLW radio host Bill Cunningham, DeWine said the support will include "a real data analysis" of where crime happens in Cincinnati, in addition to using a helicopter for "criminal suspect searches, and vehicle pursuit mitigation," according to a news release.
State highway patrol troopers will also focus on traffic enforcement to "free up" local officers to investigate other crimes.
"Combatting violence is our most urgent challenge, and this coordination and support from the State of Ohio will assist our local law enforcement in ensuring the safety of all our residents," he said.
Pureval added that he will cut his vacation four days short and arrive back in Cincinnati on the evening of July 31. He plans to make an announcement Aug. 1 about how the city will combat crime and address public safety concerns.
Council member Victoria Parks' post sparks backlash
A Cincinnati council member sparked an online backlash with her response to one of several videos of the viral fight.
"They begged for that beat down!" Councilwoman Victoria Parks posted to Facebook on Sunday, July 27 at 4:50 a.m. in response to a video showing some of the brawl. "I am grateful for the whole story."
Parks, on July 31, responded to the controversy by invoking free speech.
"In this country, we have freedom of speech, however, you may not run into a crowded theater and scream fire," Parks told The Enquirer.
Fellow Democratic Councilwoman Meeka Owens condemned Parks' comments on July 31.
"Making comments that inflame a violent incident is never acceptable," Owens said in her statement. She said members of council should not speculate on the motives of the fight. She said Parks' comment doesn't reflect those of council .... The Councilmember is entitled to her opinion; however, it is not beneficial to the city nor the region when she advocates for violence as a means of retribution," Owens said.
Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney also issued a statement on July 31, saying the council condemns the violent actions of the instigators of the fight, as well as the violent actions of those who retaliated.
"Opportunists are trying to use this incident as a way to divide us – racially and politically – and cast our great city in a false and negative light," Kearney said. "Every city has challenges, and we confront our challenges head on. We must stand together and work for justice, knowing that a united Cincinnati is strong and victorious."
More: 'They begged for that beat down!' Council member Victoria Parks' post sparks backlash
Vivek Ramaswamy to host Cincinnati town hall
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy posted on X on July 30 that he plans to host a town hall on Monday, August 4, with former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Chris Smitherman.
A time and place for the town hall have not yet been set.
"We plan to invite city officials, community leaders, and any of the victims from Friday's assault who wish to participate. When people feel afraid to speak their minds, that's when frustration festers & we can't let that happen," Ramaswamy said in the post.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Cincinnati brawl?
Montianez Merriweather, 34; Dekyra Vernon, 24; and Jermaine Matthews, 39, face charges including felonious assault and aggravated riot.
Merriweather was out on bond when police said he was involved in the early morning brawl on July 26 in downtown Cincinnati. He received a $500,000 bond during a July 30 arraignment in Hamilton County Municipal Court. Matthews was given a $100,000 bond, although a judge is expected to set an additional bond on July 31.
Vernon's bond was set at $200,000.
Police say they have identified two other suspects as well, but they have not been reported to be in custody as of the evening of July 30.
What happened in the Cincinnati brawl?
Some of the videos posted on social media showed that the fight began as two men circled each other and a crowd gathered. A few people step between them, in an apparent attempt to calm them down. One man appears to slap the other.
At that point, more people join in, attacking the man who delivered the slap and kicking and punching him after he falls to the ground.
Later on in the videos, a man is also seen punching a woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground, where she remained motionless, possibly unconscious, until a person helped pick her back up.
Cincinnati police Detective Barney Blank said video of the incident shows Merriweather walking up to Matthews, whispering something to him and approaching one of the victims from behind before striking him in the face.
Merriweather and Matthews then chased the victim, who was trying to retreat, to the ground before punching and kicking him, Blank said. The detective added that Merriweather went after another man.
"We believe that he coordinated this with Mr. Matthews," Blank said.
Blank added that Matthews was seen on video knocking the victim to the ground and kicking him several times in the face and chest, before going after another victim.
Blank said that Vernon was a bystander watching the brawl when she approached and punched a Russian woman trying to protect someone on the ground.
The detective said Vernon was not involved in any of the arguments that preceded the fight. "She just interjected herself into a brawl on the street," Blank said.
Who was injured in the Cincinnati fight?
Jonathan Cunningham, a spokesperson for the Cincinnati police, told USA Today on Tuesday, July 29, in an email that "two victims did go to the hospital the following day with at that time non-life-threatening injuries, treated and (were) released."
He added that he does not know what the status is of their follow-up care.
A Russian woman whom Vernon is accused of punching has since returned to her home country.
Is the FBI investigating the Cincinnati brawl?
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich previously said in a statement to The Enquirer that she will prosecute the attackers in the fight "to the fullest extent of the law."
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said the FBI is in the midst of an investigation on orders from the U.S. attorney general, but The Enquirer was not able to confirm an official investigation.
The Enquirer will update this developing news report.
Enquirer reporters Quinlan Bentley, David Ferrara, Scott Wartman and Erin Glynn contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What started fight in Cincinnati, arrests, victims, response: Updates
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