A violent street mob attacked a man and woman in Cincinnati on Saturday night.
The alarming incident was caught on video, and the footage went viral online. The city’s police chief has vowed to identify and find the culprits responsible for the “cruel and absolutely unacceptable” behavior.
The brawl took place on the final night of the city’s annual Cincinnati Music Festival.
“I am in complete disgust waking up to the viral video many of you have now seen. The behavior displayed is nothing short of cruel and absolutely unacceptable. Our investigative team is working diligently to identify every individual involved in causing harm. It’s also important to clarify: this was a sudden dispute between individuals following a verbal altercation. It was not connected in any way to the Music Fest,” Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in a statement, according to WKRC.
The video begins with a man being punched and then thrown to the ground by two others. The man is then quickly surrounded by a mob that continues to stomp, kick, punch, and jeer for nearly a full minute. The man on the ground alternates between attempting to grab at the feet of those surrounding him and covering his head.
Eventually, the beating subsides and the man is helped to his feet. He is unsteady, however, and quickly falls back to the ground. He appears dazed and bloodied as he is helped to his feet again and walks away with assistance.
As the man is being helped away, another altercation breaks out. A woman who appears to be trying to protect the man from further harm is set upon by several others. The second altercation ends with a man punching the woman in the head. She falls to the ground and appears to be unconscious for several moments. The video ends as several people help her to sit up.
The video can be seen here.
Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober condemned the violence, as well as the people who stood by and chose to video or jeer without attempting to call police. No police officers appear to be visible throughout the nearly two-and-half minute video.
“The violence this video shows downtown is disgusting,” Kober told WLWT. “What’s equally disgusting is those who chose to watch and record instead of calling 911, attempting to defuse the situation or render aid. I have full faith in the Central Business Section Investigators they will make arrests in the near future. It will then be the responsibility of the court system to hold these violent thugs accountable.”