Cincinnati, Ohio — Authorities have made a fourth arrest in connection with a violent brawl that erupted in downtown Cincinnati on July 26. Dominique Kittle was charged with aggravated rioting and misdemeanor assault, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. Kittle appeared in court Saturday, where a bond of $150,000 was established. His attorney noted in court that Kittle has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Kittle joins three other suspects—Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather, and Dekyra Vernon—who were arrested following the incident, which garnered significant attention when video footage surfaced on social media showing the violent confrontation.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval addressed the incident on Friday, emphasizing the city’s commitment to combat violent crime. “Let me be clear, there is no place for violent crime in Cincinnati,” he stated during a news conference, vowing to hold accountable those responsible for the brawl. However, his remarks drew criticism from Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, who suggested that the mayor’s response was insufficient and questioned his leadership during the crisis. Moreno expressed discontent over the reduction of police presence in the city and criticized the perceived leniency of the justice system toward offenders.
The brawl, which occurred between Elm and Fourth Streets, involved a mob attacking two individuals, one of whom was a woman who lost consciousness amidst the chaos. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy spoke to the victim, identified as Holly, expressing his outrage that no police or medical assistance was present during the assault. “Hard-working Americans shouldn’t have to worry for their safety,” Ramaswamy remarked.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge highlighted that out of approximately 100 witnesses, only one person contacted law enforcement during the incident. “That is unacceptable,” Theetge stated, underscoring the need for public cooperation in reporting violence. She referred to the brawl as an act of violence that profoundly shook the community and reiterated her call for citizens to alert authorities when witnessing such behavior.
“Trust me when I say this: had the Cincinnati Police Department been notified in real time, our officers would have responded with urgency and force to protect life,” Theetge added during the press briefing. As the investigation continues, the FBI and the Justice Department have confirmed that they are conducting a federal inquiry into the events surrounding the brawl.
As the city grapples with this disturbing incident, authorities hope the increased focus on accountability and community engagement will help deter future acts of violence.