Cincinnati assault: Police charge six suspects, hunt three fugitives in brutal street beating

CINCINNATI – Six people have now been charged in last weekend’s brutal street beating in Cincinnati as police hunt for the three remaining suspects, city officials said at a news conference Friday.

Authorities had previously said five people had been charged, three of whom had been arrested. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said Friday that six people had now been charged with felonious assault and aggravated rioting. The city’s fugitive apprehension unit is pursuing the three suspects who have not been captured yet.

Theetge also said that six victims have been identified in the viral attack – five males and one female. They were subjected to “unimaginable physical violence,” she said.

Theetge provided the update at a news conference held by Mayor Aftab Pureval, who has been criticized for taking a vacation this week while the city dealt with the aftermath of the attack.

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Theetge said the city had 11 police officers working in the central business district at the time of the attack, which she said was sufficient.

One of the three suspects apprehended so far in the brutal downtown street beating from early Saturday morning was set to be released on bond on Friday.

Jermaine Matthews, 39, was expected to leave the Hamilton County Jail on Friday after paying a combined $270,000 bond after he was hit with four charges stemming from the beatdown, according to his attorney, Brandon Fox.

“The way that it works, he’s got an electronic monitoring component to his bond,” Fox told Fox News Digital. “Basically an ankle monitor. So, while he posted the financial component, it still requires the probation department to come over and ensure that the ankle monitor is on, [to] tell him the rules, where he can go when, he can go there, that kind of stuff.”

Matthews was charged with two counts of assault, two counts of felony assault and aggravated riot for his alleged participation in the brutal brawl, which has garnered national attention this week. 

During a bond hearing Thursday afternoon, Fox told the court that Matthews did not start the fight. 

“That video that we discussed yesterday has now been released of that individual slapping on my client and then the fight ensuing thereafter,” he said. 

Fox also said that Matthews is not responsible for knocking unconscious the male victim seen in the viral video. 

“That person was knocked unconscious by a different individual, and my client moved that person from his business vehicle. That’s where the basis of that charge comes from,” Fox said. 

Fox also claimed that one of the victims used racial slurs before the fight. 

A photo showing the bruised face of a victim of the viral beating in Cincinnati, only identified as Holly. (Tricia Mackie / Fox 19 on X)

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“I will tell you, that there’s a lot more to the story than what’s been reported thus far,” he told Fox News Digital on Friday. “We expect that additional information will come forth today. That information will likely dispel a lot of the narrative that’s already been placed out by politicians.”

Matthews’ next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 8, according to jail records. 

Jermaine Matthews, 39, left, stands in front of Municipal Court Judge Michael Peck during his arraignment on charges stemming from the early morning downtown brawl on July 26, 2025. His bond was set at $100,000 on July 30, 2025. (Liz Dufour/The Enquirer, Imagn)

A Cincinnati Police detective was also present during the hearing and disputed that the slap began the fight. 

He told the judge that “we have video footage that totally disputes the slap being the first incident of someone putting their hands on someone.”

Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor David Hickenlooper also weighed in. 

“This person is unconscious,” he said of the victim. “[Matthews] wasn’t rendering aid. He was dragging him into the middle of the street after he had been knocked out. This is my understanding.”

Montianez Merriweather and Dekyra Vernon have been arrested in connection to a fight in Cincinnati that gained national attention over the weekend. (Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

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Two other suspects remain in jail as of Friday morning. 

Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were arrested Tuesday night. Both face felonious assault, aggravated riot and assault charges. Merriweather is being held on a $500,000 bond, while Vernon is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Theetge said the names of the three remaining suspects would be released when they are captured.