CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The brawl in downtown Cincinnati around 3 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, has gained national attention and provoked safety concerns, racial divide and political debate. What have we learned?
It started with a video of the fight going viral on social media, showing a white man being punched by multiple Black people and falling to the ground, where he is then repeatedly kicked. A woman could also be seen in the video being punched and knocked to the ground.
Police announced later that Saturday that they had seen the video and were investigating the large fight that occurred on Fourth Street. Several suspects were then reportedly identified in the brawl on Sunday, July 27.
By Monday, July 28, the video had gained national attention and several politicians voiced their opinions on the incident, including Vice President JD Vance, who said, “The only way to destroy that street violence is to take the thugs who engage in that violence and throw their asses in prison.”
Both Cincinnati mayoral candidates addressed the brawl and public safety as city residents voiced major concerns amid a recent crime surge.
On Tuesday, July 28, it was revealed that despite the large crowd and numerous people recording the incident on their phones, only one person called 911.
“For us to get only one phone call about this incident is unacceptable in this city,” said Police Chief Teresa Theetge. “I think what happened is a frightening reflection of where we are as a society today.”
Downtown residents shared that the crowds outside the nightclub had been reported numerous times before the brawl, and concerned residents met with city leaders.
Jeff Ruby’s CEO Britney Ruby Miller released a statement on social media on behalf of Cincinnati’s Downtown Restaurant Coalition, talking about the fight. She called the incident disturbing and used that moment to share thoughts on the violence downtown.
The FBI began to coordinate closely with Cincinnati police on Wednesday, July 29, to determine if any federal laws were violated, as authorities continued to identify more individuals involved in the incident.
Politicians continued to voice their views on the brawl, and on Thursday, July 30, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno shared photos of a female victim in the incident and threatened to suspend federal funding in the area unless the Cincinnati city council and mayor could come up with a plan in 30 days to enforce civil rights protections and law and order.
Multiple local politicians made shocking comments about the brawl.
Cincinnati City Council member Victoria Parks wrote, “They begged for that beatdown.”
Ross Township Trustee David Young wrote, “Cincinnati has a problem and has always had a problem with black citizens. Their [sic] animals and won’t change.”
Young also used a racial slur in one of his social media posts and then refused to step down after his community held an emergency meeting for him to do so.
On Friday, August 1, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and other city and community leaders discussed “the path forward,” and New Prospect Baptist Church Pastor Damon Lynch said, “This is racial because it is unequal justice.”
The local bar, LoVe on Fourth, located on the street where the brawl occurred, was under investigation by the city following a series of incidents that have prompted frequent police responses and liquor control violations.
By the end of the first week since the brawl happened, a total of six individuals were facing charges related to the incident, with four arrested, and new videos continued to be released showing different angles of the brawl.
On Sunday, August 3, one week and a day after the incident happened, the female victim, identified as Holly, spoke on camera for the first time. She has since received more than $300,000 to help with her recovery.
Police Chief Theetge said she will “probably” release additional footage from the attack this week. That includes street surveillance and police body cameras.
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