Cincinnati Street Brawl Caught on Video Sparks Outrage and Multiple Arrests

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A violent street fight involving dozens of people erupted early Saturday morning in downtown Cincinnati, prompting outrage from city officials, police, and community leaders after video footage of the assault spread widely online.

The brawl took place around 3 a.m. near Fourth and Elm streets. Footage from the scene shows one man being chased, knocked to the ground, and repeatedly punched and stomped by a group. A woman was visibly injured and reportedly knocked unconscious during the altercation.

Police arrived at the scene minutes later but found the area mostly cleared. Only one emergency call was made, which officials criticized given the estimated crowd of more than 100 witnesses.

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge condemned the incident as “cruel and unacceptable,” vowing that all individuals who took part in the violence would be held accountable. She also criticized the bystanders who chose to film the incident instead of calling for help or intervening.

Five individuals have been charged in connection with the assault, with two suspects, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, arrested on charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot. Authorities say more arrests are expected and have encouraged those involved to surrender voluntarily.

Mayor Aftab Pureval described the violence as “unacceptable and disgusting behavior” that “is intolerable in any part of our community.” He assured residents that law enforcement is actively working to identify and prosecute everyone responsible.

The fight occurred during Cincinnati Music Festival weekend, but officials confirmed it was not related to any of the city’s major events that weekend. Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage, social media posts, and bar records to piece together what led to the outbreak of violence.

Vice President J.D. Vance called the attackers a “mob of lawless thugs” in video footage and said he hopes all involved will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. His half-brother, Cincinnati mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, blamed city leadership for failing to address downtown crime.

As the investigation continues, city officials are urging community cooperation and calling on witnesses to come forward. The incident has reignited concerns over public safety in Cincinnati’s downtown area and prompted calls for stronger preventative measures.