A suspect wanted for assaulting a female victim during a viral street brawl in Cincinnati has been taken into custody in another state.
Fifth suspect arrested in connection with viral street brawl
Patrick Rosemond, 38, was arrested Monday in Fulton County, Georgia, according to WLWT-TV.
Authorities say he is facing charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot.
Atlanta police took Rosemond into custody, and he was being held at the Fulton County Jail. He is expected to be extradited to Cincinnati in the near future.
Rosemond is believed to be the man seen on video punching a woman named Holly in the face during the massive street brawl.
In the footage, Holly, who is wearing a blue dress, appears to be attempting to help protect another man already under attack.
Moments later, she is struck from behind by another female, and then punched in the face by a male attacker, reportedly Rosemond, causing her to collapse to the ground.
The disturbing footage has circulated widely across social media platforms, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and triggering widespread outrage.
Cincinnati Police Chief Terri Theetge addressed the situation during a press briefing on Friday, indicating that the department plans to release additional footage.
“Probably early next week, I will be releasing additional footage, including body worn camera that tells a little bit more of the story,” Theetge told reporters.
“Right now, I need to let the investigators continue to do their jobs. If I release too much, too soon, even though there is a very strong appetite for it, I jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.”
New footage of violent street brawl released
Among the newly surfaced material is a clip containing a racial slur shouted at the start of the violent outbreak.
In the recording, someone can be heard yelling the N-word, though it is not yet clear who used the term or whom it was aimed at.
Chief Theetge criticized the lack of immediate reporting from bystanders, noting that out of nearly 100 individuals who either witnessed or participated in the violent incident, only one person contacted police.
“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 said.
Rosemond’s arrest marks the fifth apprehension in the ongoing investigation into the group assault. Authorities are still searching for a sixth suspect.
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One of the other alleged assailants, 37-year-old Dominique Kittle, was taken into custody last Friday. He also faces charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot.
WLWT reported that prosecutors revealed during Kittle’s Saturday hearing that he approached the male victim from behind, struck him, and tried to steal his wallet.
When the theft attempt failed, Kittle allegedly walked away, then turned back and knocked the victim unconscious.
Kittle’s bond was set at $150,000, but he was still in custody as of Tuesday, according to local jail records.
Additional suspects include Jermaine Matthews, 39, Dekyra Vernon, 24, and Montianez Merriweather, 34.
Matthews is accused of participating in the beatdown by punching and stomping on a victim in an apparent attempt to inflict serious bodily harm.
According to a criminal complaint cited by WXIX-TV, Matthews also allegedly dragged an unconscious person into the street and continued the assault.
Matthews surrendered to police last Tuesday and was initially charged with aggravated riot and assault.
His bond was originally set at $100,000, but following his court appearance the next day, Matthews was hit with additional charges — two counts of felonious assault and one count of misdemeanor assault.
His bond was increased to $270,000. He has since been released after posting bail.
Lawyer claims client was provoked, not an antagonist
Matthews’ attorney, Brandon Fox, told Fox News that his client was not a participant in a coordinated racial attack, but rather became involved only after being provoked.
“It was not a Black, racist mob attacking people. These were separate fights that were triggered by racial slurs that ultimately poured gasoline on the fire,” Fox said.
He added that Matthews had been trying to de-escalate the situation until he was allegedly slapped by a “taller White man.”
Merriweather was also arrested last Tuesday and is accused of punching the victim while other suspects were seen stomping the victim’s head.
According to a Cincinnati police detective, Merriweather was seen on surveillance video whispering to a co-defendant and then arguing with the victim shortly before the attack began.
The detective described Merriweather as the “catalyst” behind what investigators believe was a “coordinated attack.”
The detective further alleged that Merriweather came up from behind and struck the victim on the side of the face in what was described as an ambush-style hit.
Prosecutors stated that surveillance footage from a nearby building captured Merriweather and Matthews chasing down the victim prior to delivering the blows. Merriweather’s bond was set at $500,000.
Dekyra Vernon, another suspect, faces similar charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot.
According to criminal complaints cited by WXIX, Vernon is accused of striking the victim in the face with a closed fist just before the victim lost consciousness during the attack.
Vernon’s bond has been set at $200,000. She remained in custody on Tuesday.
Kittle, Matthews, Merriweather, and Vernon are scheduled to appear in court again on Friday as the legal process continues to unfold.
Police have not yet released the name of the sixth suspect, who remains at large.
