Two police officers assaulted as violence continues in Cincinnati

Two Cincinnati police officers were assaulted during a violent Halloween that left one person dead and led to the arrests of dozens of people across the city.

The officers were assaulted in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 1, in the Short Vine area of Corryville as they responded to a crowd of more than 2,000 people near a BP gas station. While officers worked to disperse the group, one officer was punched and knocked to the ground, requiring hospital treatment, while the second was treated at the scene.

According to WCPO-TV, citing a criminal complaint, Antonio Adams, 22, “allegedly knocked an officer to the ground, causing injury.” He faces one charge for assault and two charges for resisting arrest, and a Hamilton County judge set Adams’ bail at $27,000.

A second suspect was also arrested in connection with the assaults.

Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes with officers on the ground amid the crowd.

“I’m appalled by reports that Cincinnati police officers were assaulted for simply doing their jobs,” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a statement. “Violence against law enforcement is unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable. Ohio’s police officers deserve our gratitude and respect for putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. I wish the injured officers a speedy recovery and thank them for their service.”

Cincinnati police reported 44 arrests citywide that night across multiple disturbances, which included a shooting that took the life of 20-year-old Memories Lounge employee Kameiro Blair-Martin, other assaults, and large disorderly gatherings.

Critics, noting the rise in violent crime, say the issue is Cincinnati’s leadership and soft-on-crime approach.

In an interview with Frank Marzullo, co-anchor of WCPO 9’s Good Morning Tri-State, Ken Kober, president of Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police, called the video heartbreaking.

“That video is immediately disgusting. It’s heartbreaking to see,” Kober said.

Adding that the problem is a pattern of immediate release from jail following violent crimes, Kober told Marzullo the only way to “stop this nonsense is at the voting box.”

The episode comes as Cincinnati, under Democratic Mayor Aftab Pureval since January 2022, continues to navigate mixed public safety results.

High-profile incidents in 2025, including a viral downtown brawl and elevated disorder in the urban core, prompted the placement of then-Police Chief Teresa Theetge on administrative leave, drawing criticism over officer morale and response. Theetge was ousted in April, and a Nov. 30 hearing has been set on her appeal, WXIX-TV reported.

Some neighborhoods and districts reported increases in aggravated assaults or property crime even as citywide totals have eased in reports. Cincinnati’s violent crime rate, however, remains well above national averages.

According to Current Crime Maps, the violent crime rate in Cincinnati has increased by 4% from September 2025 to September 2026. With 835 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, violent crime in Cincinnati currently ranks 91% above the 302 cities and counties the site tracked.