State sends in resources to help Cincinnati following vicious street brawl
Amid concerns about a viral video showing a street fight in downtown Cincinnati, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will provide additional personnel to support the Cincinnati Police Department.
The fight purportedly took place in downtown, at the intersection of Elm and Fourth streets, on July 27. Footage seemingly shows “a group of largely black assailants” targeting a “white man and a woman,” the New York Post reported.
“Our partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the use of their Aviation Unit have been instrumental in recent CPD initiatives,” Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in a release.
Authorities opted to send in state resources amid community members’ worries about recent violence. State troopers will help with traffic enforcement and provide aviation support in The Queen City, which should allow local officers to respond to and investigate other crimes.
“Ohio essentially has a package of law enforcement support services the state can provide in times when local authorities could use some additional help,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said in a release. “We’ve done this in other cities, and it has made a big difference.”
Similar state-supported initiatives have previously taken place in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Youngstown, and Toledo.
“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,” Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said in a statement.
Police have reportedly charged five people in the attack. According to the New York Post, Cincinnati authorities have announced charges, including felonious assault and aggravated riot, against Montianez Merriweather, 34; Dekyra Vernon, 24; and Jermaine Matthews, 39.
According to the report, police said Merriweather and Matthews “coordinated the ‘ambush’ attack.”
“Ultimately, we do have on video Mr. Merriweather walking up to co-defendant,” a Cincinnati police detective testified, WXIX-TV reported. “He whispers something to him then walks back behind the victim.
“They chase him and get him on the ground where they begin to punch and kick him on the ground,” the detective added. “There’s a disengage. Merriweather goes after another gentleman behind another car and then he walks to the side and goes to the sidewalk while there’s a third assault occurring in the middle of the roadway.”
A defense attorney disputed the narrative presented by the police.
“The Caucasian man then says, ‘that’s your car,’ and slaps my client in the face,” the attorney said, according to the station’s report. “That person – the alleged victim in this case – threw the first punch. Did a melee occur thereafter? Yes, but to say it was a [coordinated] attack and that was the catalyst of what broke out, that is not the true and accurate picture of what broke out.”
Additionally, the New York Post reported that a Cincinnati city council member claimed that the brawl’s victims were asking to be assaulted.
“They begged for that beat down!” Cincinnati Councilwoman Victoria Parks, a 67-year-old Democrat, said in response to a video of the brawl on Facebook, according to Cincinnati.com. “I am grateful for the whole story.”
The disturbing remark was swiftly met with criticism.
“It’s unconscionable that an elected official would be celebrating violence in the very city she was voted to serve,” Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police president Ken Kober told Fox News Digital.
A state lawmaker also chimed in, saying the city leader should resign.
“Cincinnati Councilwoman Victoria Parks must resign immediately,” state Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, said in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
Cincinnati Councilwoman Victoria Parks must resign immediately! Defending violent criminals who viciously beat innocent people is disgusting.
Her words “They begged for that beat down!” are outrageous.
Prosecutors must charge the attackers with a hate crime. We must… pic.twitter.com/sNv8ecPyNG
— Phil Plummer (@PhilPlummerOH) July 30, 2025
“Defending violent criminals who viciously beat innocent people is disgusting,” the lawmaker added. “Her words ‘They begged for that beat down!’ are outrageous. Prosecutors must charge the attackers with a hate crime. We must protect our streets!”
