We now know the identities of three of the five suspects arrested in connection with a viral brawl near Elm and Fourth Streets in Cincinnati’s Downtown neighborhood late Friday night.
The brawl became national news after videos blew up on social media depicting a group punching and knocking a man to the ground, where they continued to punch and kick him. A woman is also seen being punched to the ground and appears unresponsive with blood on her face. Videos of the alleged attacks gained millions of views online, in part thanks to racist dog-whistle commentary from far-right conservative commentators like Libs of TikTok, Charlie Kirk and Elon Musk.
Arrests
On Wednesday, Cincinnati Police announced Jermaine Matthews, 39, was arrested and charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot. His bond was set at $100,000. Matthews appeared in court Wednesday for a bond hearing alongside defendants Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24.
Merriweather and Vernon were arrested Tuesday in connection with the attacks, according to CPD. Both face felonious assault and aggravated riot charges. Vernon’s bond was set at $200,000 –prosecutors said she had an outstanding warrant for a traffic incident.
Upon request by prosecutors, Merriweather’s bond was set at a higher total of $500,000. Records show Merriweather was arrested earlier this month on charges for receiving stolen property. He was also charged with illegally possessing a gun as a felon; his previous charges include aggravated robbery and drug-related charges.
A detective with CPD reportedly testified that Merriweather was the “catalyst” of the brawl, calling it a “coordinated attack.” He testified that Merriweather whispered to one of the other defendants moments before the alleged assault broke out. Police also reportedly told the court that investigators have more video footage from a security camera in the area of the incident, which allegedly shows Merriweather and Matthews chasing the victim.
Little is known about the victims, but Cincinnati Police Detective Barney Blank reportedly said in court that the woman who was hit is Russian and has returned to her home country since the event.
Following Wednesday’s hearing, Merriweather’s family members told reporters that he was spat on and called racial slurs in the lead-up to the fight.
During a Tuesday night meeting on Downtown public safety, CPD Chief Teresa Theetge – who said she was in “complete disgust” immediately following the viral video’s release – said her department needs to conduct a fair investigation to understand the whole story.
“I know there are many out there that are waiting for me to make a statement from this side denouncing some participant’s behavior in that activity, and I know there is some on this side who are waiting for me to denounce the other half of that fight’s participation in that activity. Here’s where I have to operate, folks,” Theetge said, gesturing to the center aisle of the room. “I have to operate in the neutral zone as the facts are being gathered by the investigators.”
Downtown residents speak out
During a Tuesday meeting of Cincinnati’s Downtown Neighborhood Association, city leaders addressed concerns from residents about crime in Over-the-Rhine, downtown’s Central Business District and the Banks.
The meeting was scheduled well before the weekend’s viral brawl, but more than a hundred people turned out for the meeting at the downtown public library. A line of frustrated attendees stretched into the hallway unable to get into the packed conference room, and at least one person was removed from the meeting for outbursts.
While city leaders addressed the viral brawl, City Manager Sheryl Long spoke about the city’s overall efforts to reduce crime, especially among the city’s youth. She said kids “need to be home” during the late hours of the night, prompting the most enthusiastic response from attendees during her speech.
Long and Theetge said they are looking into the legality of a mandated curfew for minors Downtown, possibly modeling Cincinnati’s off a similar program in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“I need some way to have an adult be accountable for some of the kids’ behavior,” Theetge said, also receiving the most enthusiastic response of her presentation. “That should not be the police.”
A Downtown Neighborhood Association member announced the group would be launching a new public safety committee. They are actively looking for members to pitch ideas.
Follow CityBeat’s staff news writer Madeline Fening on Instagram. Got a news tip? Email mfening@citybeat.com.
Related Stories
FBI Arrests Dayton Man for Threatening to Kill 30,000 Black Cincinnatians
This article appears in Jul 23 – Aug 5, 2025.
