Victim Criticizes Police Response After Cincinnati Street Brawl

A woman who was viciously attacked during a street altercation in Cincinnati has publicly criticized the police and city officials for their handling of the incident. She expressed frustration that Police Chief Teresa Theetge referred to the violent melee as merely an “incident” and praised law enforcement for public safety, despite the brutality witnessed.

The victim, known as Holly, described the attack as much more severe than an ordinary incident, calling it an attempted murder. She stated, “I think an incident is insulting. I haven’t received any apology from the police or mayor, and it feels like they’re letting criminals run the streets.”

The attack left Holly with a black eye, a busted lip, extensive bruises, and suffering from brain trauma and a concussion. She recounted that responding officers did not ask for her name or statement, even as she was bloodied and in dire need of help. “It was disgraceful how we were treated — no backup, no ambulance — it was offensive.”

Footage of the brawl showed a group of mostly Black men surrounding Holly and another white man, both of whom tried to stay down as they were punched and stomped. Holly was later sucker-punched and knocked unconscious, blood pouring from her mouth.

Several individuals, including Montianez Merriweather and Jermaine Matthews, have been arrested on charges of felonious assault, assault, and rioting. Authorities are still seeking one more suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed.

While the motive remains unclear, new video evidence shows the victims hurling racial slurs at their attackers just before the violence erupted. Holly refuted claims by Merriweather’s family that the victims were racially taunted beforehand, instead stating that their aggressors made bigoted remarks.

She added, “There were racist comments, but it was mainly threats about race — not that the victims initiated racial hostility. I don’t want this to escalate into a racial conflict.”

Some family members suggested the incident gained broader attention because Holly is white, claiming that if the roles were reversed, the outrage would be different. Holly emphasized her hope that the incident does not turn into racial retaliation, urging for calm and understanding.