In a recent violent incident in downtown Cincinnati, a single 911 call was made after a brutal beatdown involving at least 100 witnesses occurred early on Saturday morning, July 26. The audio recording, obtained by Fox News Digital, reveals a distraught caller who informed authorities of the incident just after 3 a.m. The call lasted over three minutes, with the operator posing several questions about the situation, including the number of people involved. The caller stated that while many had fled the scene, there were still some present, creating uncertainty about the immediate need for police intervention.
During the call, the operator pressed the man for details on whether police should be dispatched, as the fight had already concluded. The caller expressed a definitive need for police assistance, a sentiment echoed in his repeated responses as he described the chaotic scene. Despite the involvement of approximately 100 individuals, he was the only person to contact 911 regarding the incident, raising serious concerns from Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. She criticized bystanders for their lack of action, emphasizing the unacceptability of failing to notify the police during such a public altercation.
The situation prompted significant backlash against the city’s leadership, given the public nature of the violent event. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, who was on vacation in Canada during the incident, drew criticism for his delayed public response, which came over 36 hours after the beating had circulated on social media. In a Facebook post, City Councilwoman Victoria Parks suggested that the victims seemed to have “begged for that beat down,” a statement reflecting the community’s outrage and frustration with the ongoing violence in the area.
Video footage of the incident has gone viral, depicting a mob relentlessly assaulting two victims, one of whom, named Holly, was rendered unconscious. The brutality of the attack has led to multiple arrests, including Montianez Merriweather and Dekyra Vernon, both facing charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot. They are currently being held on substantial bonds, with Merriweather’s set at $500,000 and Vernon’s at $200,000. A third suspect, Jermaine Matthews, was also apprehended shortly afterward, facing similar charges.
In the wake of the violent outburst, the Cincinnati Police Department has remained relatively quiet, declining to comment on multiple inquiries throughout the week regarding their response to the incident. This lack of communication extends to other city officials, including Mayor Pureval’s office and the City Council, which has added to the community’s dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled.
As investigations proceed and public outrage continues to grow, Cincinnati’s leaders face mounting pressure to provide clarity and accountability concerning the incident. The community’s demand for swift action in both addressing the violence and improving the overall response to such events reflects a deeper societal concern, highlighting the urgent need for effective law enforcement and civic responsibility in maintaining public safety.
