A fourth person has been arrested as part of a police probe into a “racial” attack on two people at a music festival in Ohio.
Images of a Russian woman known as “Holly” emerged in the days after the June 26 attack – which saw her and one other person suffer severe injuries at the Cincinnati jazz festival.
Three people, Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were arrested and charged following the brawl.
And now, a fourth has been hauled before police – 37-year-old Dominique Kittle, who has been charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot.
HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
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37-year-old Dominique Kittle has been charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot
Two unnamed others have been charged with the brutal attack, but have not yet been caught.
The group has been accused of carrying out a “coordinated ambush” on six people, sparking a bitter race row which has seen America’s Vice President get involved.
JD Vance has so far vowed to “make great American cities safe again” after footage of the brutal attack went viral.
Local police chief Teresa Theetge has said: “What we all witnessed in the viral video early Saturday morning was not only disturbing, but outright cruel. It was an act of violence that shook us all.”
Harmeet Dhillon, a senior official within the US Justice Department, has warned that race played a role in the assault on the white couple.
CRIME IN THE STATES – READ MORE:
HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE | RIGHT TO LEFT: Jermaine Matthews, Dekyra Vernon and Montianez MerriweatherAnd since photos of Holly’s injuries were released to the public, shocking new claims have come forward about the case which has gripped America.
One video appears to shows one of the victims of the attack hurling racial slurs and shouting: “Get that little n****r.”
Attorney Brandon Fox, who is representing 39-year-old Matthews, told The Enquirer: “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.”
Another twist to the row erupted when Cincinnati Councillor Victoria Parks, 67, declared: “They asked for that beatdown.”
X | REVEALED: ‘Holly’s’ horror injuries after being beaten in a ‘coordinated racial attack’Parks “must resign immediately”, Ohio Congressman Phil Plummer went on to say.
“Defending violent criminals who viciously beat innocent people is disgusting.
“Her words, ‘They begged for that beat down’, are outrageous. Prosecutors must charge the attackers with a hate crime. We must protect our streets.”
In a bid to cool the fury, authorities have hinted they could release more footage, including body-worn police camera video, by next week.
