Fourth Arrest in Cincinnati Brawl Investigation

A fourth individual has been apprehended in connection with the violent brawl that erupted in Cincinnati on July 26. Dominique Kittle faces charges of aggravated rioting and misdemeanor assault, as per the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. Kittle appeared in court on Saturday, where his bond was set at $150,000. His attorney disclosed that Kittle suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. This arrest follows those of Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather, and Dekyra Vernon, who were also implicated in the incident.

Mayor and Senator Respond to Violence

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval addressed the incident at a news conference, emphasizing that violent crime will not be tolerated in the city. He assured that those responsible would be held accountable. However, Sen. Bernie Moreno criticized the mayor’s response as insufficient, highlighting a reduction in police numbers under Pureval’s leadership and criticizing the judicial system for lenient punishments.

Viral Video Sparks Outrage

The brawl occurred between Elm and Fourth Streets, with videos of the attack quickly gaining traction on social media. The footage depicted a mob assaulting two individuals, including a woman who was knocked unconscious while bystanders recorded the scene. Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy identified the woman as Holly, a single working mother attending a friend’s birthday party. Ramaswamy criticized the absence of police and emergency services during the incident.

Police Chief Calls for Public Cooperation

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge expressed disappointment over the lack of immediate police notification from witnesses. She described the event as a significant act of violence and urged the public to report such incidents promptly to law enforcement. Theetge reassured that had the police been informed in real time, they would have acted swiftly to protect lives.

Federal Investigation Underway

The FBI and Justice Department have launched a federal investigation into the brawl. The FBI confirmed ongoing coordination with the Cincinnati Police Department to address this matter comprehensively.