Career criminal, 32, allegedly beats 76-year-old man to death at Chicago bus stop. But he's reportedly just getting started.

A 32-year-old career criminal allegedly beat to death a 76-year-old man at a Chicago bus stop Monday night, WLS-TV reported.

But his night of crime reportedly was only beginning.

The station noted that he has a lengthy criminal record spanning nearly two decades.

Surveillance video shows two people standing at a bus stop near 95th and Halsted Streets on the city's south side, the station said.

WLS noted that the silent clip shows the 76-year-old man hitting the 32-year-old suspect, but it's unclear what led to that altercation. However, the 32-year-old retaliates, punching the 76-year-old and shoving him to the ground, the station said.

The station added that it paused the video at that point because what follows "is too disturbing," noting that the 32-year-old goes on to "beat and kick the victim multiple times, before eventually walking away."

WLS said Chicago police responded to the area around 9:15 p.m., found the 76-year-old victim on the ground with apparent trauma to the head, and took him to a hospital, where he later died.

With that — according to a police report the station said it obtained — the same suspect carjacked an SUV from a nearby McDonald's.

A 60-year-old grandmother told WLS she was in the restaurant when the suspect entered her vehicle while her grandchildren — a 3-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy — were in the backseat. The station said the suspect threatened to shoot the children and ordered them out of the SUV.

WLS, citing the police report, said the suspect took off in the green Kia Telluride. However, the SUV's owner told the station she tracked the vehicle's location through the girl's iPad still inside it.

Soon the suspect crashed the SUV in Schererville, Indiana, and police arrested the driver, the station said. Schererville is about 35 minutes southeast of the initial crime scene on the south side of Chicago.

WLS said it's not naming the suspect because he hasn't yet been charged with a crime in the case, but the station noted that he has a lengthy criminal record spanning nearly two decades.

Thug arrested in connection with brutal beating of autistic man, 44, who reportedly was surrounded at park drinking fountain

Relatives of Scott Lindsey — a 44-year-old autistic man who lives in Hammond, Indiana — told WLS-TV he was riding his bike home through a park last month after finishing his shift at a local grocery store where he's worked for 14 years.

Lindsey added to the station that as he stopped to drink at a water fountain, a group surrounded him and began taunting him and calling him names before taking turns beating, punching, and kicking him.

'It looks like, at this point, it was entertainment because they saw he was vulnerable. After a period of time, other individuals, instead of intervening, joined in the attack, and no one, no one intervened on Scott's behalf.'

"I didn't say anything to them," Lindsey recalled to WLS.

When asked what the group said to him, Lindsey told the station they accused him of riding too close to them, "and then they started hitting me."

Lindsey told WLS he's doing OK despite having most of his front teeth knocked out.

"I'm feeling fine," he told the station.

WLS reported that someone saw the attack and called 911.

When officers arrived at Hessville Park, they found Lindsey bloodied and the attackers gone, the station said. Lindsey's stepfather, Brian Beatty, added to WLS that the Aug. 15 attack took place around 7 p.m.

Still, police said Lindsey had visible injuries to his face and wasn't able to fully recount the incident, and officers made sure — in recognition of his vulnerable status — to document the incident as battery and get the victim medical attention.

WLS reported that Lindsey — who has lived with his aunt since his mother died — said at first he didn't want to tell anyone that he got jumped but eventually did.

Beatty added to the station that an even more disturbing detail is that one of the individuals involved in the unprovoked attack recorded the violence and then posted video on social media.

"It looks like, at this point, it was entertainment because they saw he was vulnerable," the angry stepfather noted to WLS. "After a period of time, other individuals, instead of intervening, joined in the attack, and no one, no one intervened on Scott's behalf."

Lindsey added to the station that he won't be riding through the park anytime soon and just wants the whole ordeal behind him: "I felt bad about the whole situation."

His family noted to WLS that Lindsey also will need costly, extensive dental work to repair the damage to his mouth from the attack.

One bright spot in the ugly incident is that police said they arrested a suspect.

Police told WGN-TV that 25-year-old Keshaun Brooks, a Hammond resident, was arrested during an Aug. 31 traffic stop and taken into custody in connection with the attack.

Police on Monday told Blaze News that Brooks was charged with three felonies — one count of aggravated battery, one count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. He also was charged with one count of battery resulting in bodily injury — a misdemeanor, police added to Blaze News.

Police also told Blaze News on Monday that Brooks remains in Lake County Jail.

Police added that surveillance video from park cameras indicated that Brooks approached and violently attacked Lindsey, striking him multiple times in the head and face while he was on the ground — and that juveniles at the scene could be heard taunting the victim during the assault.

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Chicago thug accused of randomly punching mother of 11 in face, knocking her out on downtown street — and White House reacts

Kathleen Miles — a mother to 11 and grandmother to seven — lives in the northern Chicago suburb of Lake Villa but has been working in the downtown Chicago neighborhood known as the Loop for the last two decades, WGN-TV reported.

On Aug. 19, Miles told the station she was walking to a train with a co-worker along West Washington Avenue when a stranger punched her in the face. WLS-TV reported that it was a random attack.

'It's 2025, and he's out. And if he had been held accountable for his actions, then I wouldn't be sitting here with injuries.'

Miles recalled to WLS that the culprit "hit me with such force" — so much so that it knocked her out.

Given President Donald Trump's concerns about violent crime in Chicago — and resistance to him intervening from the likes of Democrat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker — the White House didn't hesitate to share with Blaze News its perspective following the latest physical attack there.

"Just like President Trump has been saying, violent crime in Chicago is a serious problem. Instead of denying the problem, Democrat leaders like Pritzker should look at the tremendous success the president has had stopping violent crime in D.C. and beg the president to do the same for their cities," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Blaze News. "Stopping violent crime shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but Democrats are making it one.”

The next thing Miles remembered was waking up in a hospital, WLS said, as her co-worker was "standing above me" and saying, "You've been assaulted."

She then passed out again, WLS said, adding that she then came to and recalled her daughter saying, "Hi mama, I'm here. You're OK."

The colleague who was with Miles later told her that a male came between the two of them, shoved them apart, and hit her in the face, WLS reported — a punch that left Miles with several broken facial bones and a concussion.

Police told WLS that Miles was attacked by 32-year-old William Livingston. Police told Blaze News that Livingston was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery/public place, a felony count of aggravated battery/great bodily harm, and a misdemeanor count of reckless conduct/bodily harm.

WGN said Livingston was arrested the same day of the attack. Cook County Jail records indicate Livingston was booked Aug. 21. Police told Blaze News his detention hearing also took place on Aug. 21. Jail records also indicate he's behind bars with no bond, and his next hearing is Sept. 15.

WLS said a records search produced 13 mugshots of Livingston going back to 2012 — and that a large number of those arrests were for aggravated assault and battery of both women and police officers.

"Like, what is enough?" Miles asked WLS. "You know, what does someone have to do? Where someone, where he's going to be, where they're going to be held accountable."

Here's a brief rundown of Livingston's violence over the last eight years, according to WLS:

In 2017, he was accused of randomly attacking two women months apart. Both cases were dropped.

In 2022, Livingston was sentenced to five years in prison after prosecutors said he punched and attempted to rob four women within 20 minutes in the Loop.

In 2023, while on parole, Livingston was arrested for hitting a woman in the face on North Michigan Avenue.

And in 2024, Livingston was sentenced to 100 days in prison after he punched a 15-year-old girl, also on North Michigan Avenue.

In regard to the 2022 attack, WGN's video broadcast shared a mugshot of Livingston that matches a mugshot Blaze News located on the Chicago Police Department's website for that same attack.

William Livingston. Image source: Chicago Police

Police said Livingston was arrested at 12:26 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2022, after being identified as the individual who struck and attempted to take personal property from multiple female victims within minutes of each other. Police said Livingston was charged with four felony counts of aggravated battery/public place, two felony counts of attempted robbery, and one misdemeanor count of batter/make physical contact.

Cami Blechschmidt, a DePaul University student, described to WGN the random attacks against her and three other women that day.

“I felt a hand in my pocket, turned my head like that, and there was a man directly in front of me, and he punched me directly in the face,” Blechschmidt recounted to WGN in 2022. “We made eye contact, and like, he just had pure hate in his eyes. Just anger, pure anger.”

For Miles, enough is enough.

"It's 2025, and he's out," Miles told WLS. "And if he had been held accountable for his actions, then I wouldn't be sitting here with injuries."

Despite the trauma she's suffered, Miles noted to WLS that she'll be present at Livingston's Sept. 15 hearing at the Skokie Courthouse.

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Florida thug accused of knocking out store worker with thrown bottle of Orange Crush finally sips on some comeuppance

Readers of Blaze News may recall the recent tale involving a male caught on surveillance video chucking a bottle of Orange Crush at a Florida convenience store worker and knocking out the victim.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched to the Seven Star store at 6940 Old Highway 37 in Bradley regarding a physical attack against a store employee on the evening of Aug. 3.

'You ain't gonna do nothin' to me, boy!'

Authorities said first responders found the adult male victim "bleeding profusely" above his right eye — an injury that required 10 stitches and apparently resulted in a concussion.

An investigation revealed that a suspect entered the store along with two other men and accused the victim of "staring at him," officials said.

The victim told the suspect to get his items and leave, officials said. But as you might guess, the suspect apparently didn't take too kindly to the directive.

Authorities said the victim and suspect continued to "loudly" exchange words, after which the suspect "threw a full, unopened, plastic 2-liter [bottle] of Orange Crush at the victim's head."

The victim fell unconscious, officials said, and the suspect and his friends left the store.

In the below video of the attack, the suspect appears to state, "You ain't gonna do nothin' to me, boy!" after knocking the store employee to the floor.

Detectives identified the suspect as 30-year old Terry Lamar Johnson Jr. of Mulberry, officials said, adding that an arrest warrant was obtained for Johnson with a charge of felony battery causing great bodily harm, and cops began looking for him.

The sheriff's office previously told Blaze News that Johnson was in jail in May after a charge of possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended or revoked license. The sheriff's office also told Blaze News that Johnson in the past had been charged with grand theft, aggravated assault, battery, resisting, and "numerous" weapons violations.

Below is Johnson's previous mugshot:

Terry Lamar Johnson Jr. Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

Johnson finally was captured last Thursday, authorities said.

The sheriff's office told Blaze News that Johnson's charge of felony battery causing great bodily harm is a third-degree charge and that he posted a $10,000 bond Saturday just after midnight. The sheriff's office added that Johnson's arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 22.

The penalty in Florida for a felony battery causing great bodily harm conviction is up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

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Viral video: High schooler physically attacks teacher in front of other students — then cop gives kid brutal wake-up call

A viral video shows a Northern California high school student physically attacking a teacher in front of other students earlier this week, after which a school resource officer rushes over and gives the culprit a brutal wake-up call he'll likely never forget.

The Western Placer Unified School District said the incident occurred Tuesday inside Lincoln High School during a freshman class meeting, KXTV-TV reported. Lincoln is about 40 minutes northeast of Sacramento.

'Teachers have a right to defend themselves, and the student continued to assault both men even after they showed great restraint. Subduing the student was absolutely justified.'

The clip shows the teacher attempting to restrain the student at the gymnasium bleachers as scores of his classmates look on. Soon the student strikes the teacher in the face with his hand, after which the teacher and another staff member grab the student and lead him out of the gym. As they approach the door, the student shoves the teacher into the door from behind. Suddenly a school resource officer rushes over, grabs the student in the hallway, and body-slams him to the floor as other students hoot and holler.

Lincoln police confirmed the student was booked into Placer County Juvenile Hall and that charges against him are expected, KOVR-TV reported, adding that district officials said the student will face disciplinary action.

Police Chief Matt Alves praised the officer's actions, KOVR added: "I can't tell you how happy I am that we had a school officer on scene. That's why they're there, to take care of situations preferably before they happen, but immediately when they happen. He did exactly what he was supposed to do, and I couldn't be more proud of our officer."

BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre had the following to say about the viral video: "I worked in a public school where several teachers were assaulted by students, including an assistant principal who was knocked out and sent to the emergency room while trying to break up a cafeteria brawl. Teachers are not police officers; they are not paid or trained to deal with violence. Teachers have a right to defend themselves, and the student continued to assault both men even after they showed great restraint. Subduing the student was absolutely justified."

Lincoln resident Mark Waterman told KOVR that "students need to be accountable for what they're doing. You go to school to learn how to fit into society. If you act that way in school, you have to face the consequences as you would in the real world."

Fellow resident Joe Esparza noted to KXTV, "What is this kid thinking? They can't act like that around people, especially at school."

Another Lincoln resident, Jody Shorkey, told KXTV, "I applaud the teachers, and I applaud the police officer."

A former Lincoln student added to KXTV that he "knew the teacher" involved in the incident and that "it was just devastating to see that video. It was sad." The former student added to the station that parents need to "teach your kid discipline. You have to teach your kid respect."

For further reading on the subject, check out the following Blaze News report about a dozen disturbing instances when students got brutally violent with teachers.

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Florida thug caught on video knocking out store clerk with 2-liter bottle of Orange Crush. What set him off is an eye-opener.

The Polk County (Florida) Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched to the Seven Star store at 6940 Old Highway 37 in Bradley regarding a physical attack against a store employee on the evening of Aug. 3.

Image source: Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

Authorities said first responders found the adult male victim "bleeding profusely" above his right eye — an injury that required 10 stitches and apparently resulted in a concussion.

'You ain't gonna do nothin' to me, boy!'

An investigation revealed that a suspect entered the store along with two other men and accused the victim of "staring at him," officials said.

The victim told the suspect to get his items and leave, officials said.

As you might guess, the suspect apparently didn't take too kindly to the directive.

Authorities said the victim and suspect continued to "loudly" exchange words, after which the suspect "threw a full, unopened, plastic 2-liter [bottle] of Orange Crush at the victim's head."

The victim fell unconscious, officials said, and the suspect and his friends left the store.

In the below video of the attack, the suspect appears to state, "You ain't gonna do nothin' to me, boy!" after knocking the store employee to the floor.

The sheriff's office on Wednesday afternoon told Blaze News that Johnson hasn't been arrested in connection with the incident — but that he was in jail in May after a charge of possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

The sheriff's office also told Blaze News that Johnson previously has been charged with grand theft, aggravated assault, battery, resisting, and "numerous" weapons violations.

Officials said those who know where Johnson is should call the sheriff's office at 863-297-1100. Those who wish to remain anonymous and become eligible for a reward should contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways, officials added:

Call 1-888-400 TIPS (8477) Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida;
Dial **TIPS from your cell phone;
Visit http://heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip";
Download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.

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Thug who mercilessly mauled elderly pro-life worker in front of Planned Parenthood gets his sentence

In June, a judge acquitted Patrick Brice of first-degree assault over a brutal assault he carried out against 73-year-old pro-life worker Mark Crosby in front of a Baltimore Planned Parenthood in May 2023.

It was good news for the attacker as he awaited his sentencing, since the acquittal lessened the possibility of jail time.

'It's not equal justice under the law.'

Crosby's attorney Terrell Roberts — retained by the Thomas More Society to assist Crosby amid deliberations — told Blaze News in June that the judge's acquittal was the "most ridiculous decision I've seen in a long while."

All the reasons why were captured on surveillance video outside the abortion facility.

Brice — a decades-younger male who Crosby estimates stands well over six feet tall and weighed about 250 pounds — reportedly was arguing with Crosby's fellow pro-life worker, Dick Schaefer, about abortion that day.

Suddenly Brice is seen on video charging at Schaefer and tackling the 84-year-old backward into a large flower pot.

Image source: Baltimore Police

According to WBAL-TV, a witness said Schaefer was out cold "for several minutes."

As you might expect, Crosby — dressed in a blue and white "pro-life" T-shirt — runs over to help his friend.

Image source: Baltimore Police

But Brice is standing directly in Crosby's path.

Image source: Baltimore Police

And Brice easily knocks the 73-year-old down to the sidewalk and punches Crosby in the head.

Image source: Baltimore Police

Then Brice rears back his right foot and kicks Crosby in the face before finally walking away.

Image source: Baltimore Police

YouTube age-restricted the Baltimore Police video of the attack on Schaefer and Crosby — which may give some indication of its gut-wrenching nature — so you can only view it there.

Here's a local video report, though.

Local pro-life advocate John Roswell told LifeSiteNews at the time of the attack that Crosby’s “plate bone in his upper right cheek is completely fractured” and that he “is bleeding from some unidentified area behind his eye, and the bone eye orbit is completely shattered and will have to be replaced with metal" as a result of the brutal beatdown.

Crosby told Blaze News that he was blind in his right eye "for nine days" after the attack, that he spent three days at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, that he was "spitting blood," and that a piece of his iris is missing.

He also told Blaze News he still experiences foreign body sensation, which is a "feeling that something's in your eye and you can't get it out. But I can live with that. Babies are being murdered. I give it up for them."

Image source: American Center for Law and Justice, used by permission (left); Mary Crosby (right)

A few weeks after the attack, police released surveillance images of the culprit, but it wasn't until over a year later — July 1, 2024 — that police finally arrested Brice. He was indicted on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and assault on an elderly person 65 and over, according to the American Center for Law and Justice. He was released on his own recognizance, Catholic Review said.

The criminal trial for Brice took place in February 2025 in Baltimore Circuit Court. Brice's attorney — assistant public defender Matthew Connell — argued that his client didn't intend to cause serious physical injury, which is needed to support a conviction for first-degree assault, the Baltimore Banner reported.

Connell also called Schaefer and Crosby “old white men” who say “the most vile things” to women and see themselves as “religious martyrs," Catholic Review reported. He also said Brice “didn’t mean to hurt them that bad" and “made a mistake," the Banner reported.

The jury convicted Brice on two counts of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment for his attacks on Schaefer and Crosby, the Banner said, adding that jurors acquitted Brice on one count of first-degree assault against Schaefer.

However, the jury couldn't reach a unanimous verdict on the first-degree assault charge for Brice's brutal attack on Crosby — knocking him to the ground, punching him in his head, and kicking him in his face while he was on his back on the sidewalk.

Crosby was then left waiting for justice.

'Legally absurd'

The opportunity came — and went — during June's retrial of Brice's first-degree assault charge for his attack on Crosby. Circuit Judge Yvette M. Bryant — who presided over February's jury trial — presided again during the bench retrial, and she acquitted Brice of first-degree assault, the Banner said in a separate story.

Her reason? The paper said the judge concluded that it was all about Crosby's intent. Does video of the attack show him rushing over to help his friend? Or does it show 73-year-old Crosby running over to fight Brice — a bigger, taller 20-something who had just knocked Schaefer out cold?

The Banner said Bryant agreed that Brice's attack against Crosby was unjustified — but disagreed with the prosecution's contention that it was unprovoked.

"How can you claim a 73-year-old man provoked a man who just knocked out an 84-year-old man? It's legally absurd," Roberts remarked to Blaze News at the time, adding that "any judge would have to find him guilty based on the video."

Crosby added to Blaze News that Bryant stated in court that he could have "gone around Brice to help Dick Schaefer" rather than taking a path directly to his friend to give him aid. "So she's blaming me. ... I'm the bad guy."

A frustrated Crosby also told Blaze News at the time that "now the pro-abort movement will know this, and violence will continue against us."

Brice's sentencing took place Thursday.

What happened at the sentencing?

During the hearing, Roberts read Crosby's victim impact statement, which said, "Due to the brutality of the attack, I respectfully call for the court to impose a lengthy sentence of imprisonment for the defendant in this case."

That didn't happen.

Brice got no jail time. Instead, Judge Bryant ordered him to spend one year on home detention and gave him three years’ probation, the Banner reported in a separate story.

In addition, Brice must complete anger management classes, undergo drug and alcohol screening, virtually attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and remain in therapy, the paper said.

Blaze News spoke with Crosby and his attorney, Roberts, following Brice's sentencing. As you might expect, both were upset about it.

Roberts said that "clearly justice was not done here. The sentence for this kind of criminal act should be jail time without any question." He added that Brice's attack left "permanent" injuries and that "he fled the scene, leaving Mark and Dick lying on the ground." But instead of jail time, Brice was "walking out without any kind of punishment. It's shameless. And it pretty much means it's open season for any pro-life person working" in front of Planned Parenthood.

Crosby told Blaze News that after the judge handed down her sentence and was walking out the courtroom door, he "screamed out" at her, asking, "What about my well-being?"

He added that the Brice's sentence includes a lot of "easy stuff" and that "it's not equal justice under the law." Crosby noted that he's hoping the federal government will look at the case.

But despite his disappointment, Crosby added to Blaze News that he "couldn't ask for a better gift" than "shedding my blood on the bricks in front of Planned Parenthood and suffering pain for Jesus and the babies."

Crosby also said since the attack, "wonderful things have happened — along with the not-so-wonderful things — but there's no greater joy than saving one of God's beautiful babies from being murdered. It's a great feeling when people come up and say thank you for counseling them — and that their babies are alive and well."

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6th Cincinnati mob attack suspect arrested; sources say she's seen on video stomping victim

A sixth Cincinnati mob attack suspect has been arrested, WXIX-TV reported.

Aisha Devaughn, 25, was charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot, the station said, citing Cincinnati police.

Police said its Fugitive Apprehension Unit took Devaughn into custody around 9 a.m. Wednesday, WXIX added. She remained behind bars Wednesday evening, jail records show.

The station noted that sources said Devaughn is the "woman seen in the viral video wearing a white bodysuit, stomping and kicking a victim on the ground."

WXIX embedded two screenshots from the video — which you can view here — in its story. The clip allegedly shows Devaughn in action.

Around the 9-second mark, a woman dressed in a short, white bodysuit comes into frame, and she delivers at least three stomps upon a male victim lying in the street.

But around the 17-second mark, someone pulls the woman away — and what appears to be a wig is ripped from the top of her head.

At the 1:27 mark, the woman in the white bodysuit reappears — with the wig back on — and she's seen apparently making physical contact with the mob attack victim we've come to know as Holly. The physical contact comes just after another female punches Holly in the back of the head — and just before a male punches Holly in the face, knocking her flat on her back.

Holly told WXIX the following after Devaughn's arrest: "I am so thankful our police and everyone out there who are helping to save other lives by arresting these felons. Who knows how many other people they've been doing this to and attacking our innocent, for God knows how long, that no one even knows about. I feel blessed. Our loved ones are now a little safer."

Holly also spoke at a Wednesday news conference:

With Devaughn's arrest, all six of the so-far charged suspects in connection with the mob attack have been taken into custody.

Patrick Rosemond, 38, was arrested Monday in Fulton County, Georgia, and has been charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot, Cincinnati police told WLWT-TV. The station said Rosemond is the male "accused of hitting the victim named Holly."

Patrick RosemondImage source: Fulton County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office

Vivek Ramaswamy — who's running for Ohio governor — shared a disturbing close-up image of Holly's face after she hit the ground; her eyes are wide open, and her body is motionless. Video shows a few people soon trying to help her up.

The fourth suspect — Dominique Kittle, 37 — was arrested Friday night and charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot, WLWT said in a separate story.

Dominique Kittle. Image source: Fulton County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office

WLWT reported that during Saturday's hearing, the prosecutor's office said Kittle "approached the victim ... struck him from behind, [and] attempted to take a wallet from him. When he was unable to do that, he started to walk away, and then turned around and knocked the prosecuting witness out."

Kittle's bond was set at $150,000, the station said.

The other three arrested suspects are 39-year-old Jermaine Matthews, 24-year-old Dekyra Vernon, and 34-year-old Montianez Merriweather.

(L to R) Jermaine Matthews, Dekyra Vernon, Montianez Merriweather. Image source: Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff's Office, composite

Police said Matthews is seen on video “punching and stomping on [a] victim with his hands and feet attempting to cause serious physical harm,” WXIX-TV reported, citing a criminal complaint. Matthews also is accused of dragging an unconscious person into the middle of the street and punching and assaulting a victim, the station said.

Matthews turned himself in last Tuesday on one count each of aggravated riot and assault, WXIX reported, adding that Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Michael Peck set his bond at $100,000 during his Wednesday arraignment. The station said Matthews returned to court Thursday on two new counts of felonious assault and one for misdemeanor assault, after which Peck set new bonds that increased the total amount to $270,000 — and WXIX said Matthews bonded out of jail.

Merriweather was "identified on video punching [the] victim while co-defendants are stomping the victim in the head," WXIX reported, citing criminal complaints. He was arrested last Tuesday.

Merriweather also has been in trouble with the law before.

In fact, Merriweather was indicted July 10 on four felony charges after investigators said he was found in possession of a stolen firearm, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Court records indicate he was charged with carrying concealed weapons, receiving stolen property, improper handling of firearms in a vehicle, and weapons under disability, the paper noted. The weapons under disability charge stems from a 2009 felony conviction for aggravated robbery, the Enquirer added, citing documents.

But after his July 10 indictment, Merriweather was released upon posting 10% of a $4,000 bond, the paper said.

"He never should have been out," Ken Kober, Cincinnati police union president, told the Enquirer.

Merriweather's bond in connection with his mob attack charges was set at $500,000, the Enquirer reported.

Vernon was charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot in connection with the mob attack. She is alleged to have "struck [the] victim in the face with a closed fist prior to the victim becoming unconscious from the attack," WXIX reported, citing criminal complaints. Vernon's bond was set at $200,000, and she remained behind bars Tuesday, according to jail records.

You can view cellphone videos of the mob attack here, here, here, here, and here.

The next court date for Kittle, Matthews, Vernon, and Merriweather is scheduled for Friday.

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Cincinnati official who said mob attack victims 'begged' for beating doubles down; woman punched in face records tearful clip

The Cincinnati city council member who made headlines last week for saying mob attack victims "begged" for the beating they received sat down for a video interview in which she doubled down on her perspective, refused to resign, and invoked race as a factor in the attack.

Meanwhile, the woman who was punched in the face by a male during the mob beatdown — and apparently knocked out as a result — recorded a tearful video in which she thanked those who've supported her.

'You never start a fight with a white person. But if they hit you first, that becomes a reason for all of the frustration and hurt and terror ... of generations, historical generational pain, to be released. And I believe that's what happened.'

WLWT-TV said the woman shared her video with the station and asked to be identified only by her first name — Holly — and thanked "everyone for all of the love and support. It is very humbling that you have sent your prayers, your blessings. It's definitely what's keeping me going, and you have just brought back faith in humanity, so God bless you all. And thank you. I appreciate everything that you're doing for me and my family. It's been very, very hard, and I'm still recovering. I still have very bad brain trauma and it's — thank you. Thank you, everyone."

Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio last week shared grisly images of Holly's face that appeared to have been taken soon after the attack and showed her with a horrific black eye and massive bruising.

"This is Holly," Moreno wrote on X. "She wanted to have a nice evening out with friends. Instead, she got this."

Cellphone video of the mob attack (1:34 mark) shows Holly, who's wearing a blue dress, apparently trying to intervene on behalf of a beaten-up man, but instead another female punches her in the back of the head — and seconds later, a male punches her in the face, knocking her flat on her back on the street.

Amid all of this, Victoria Parks — the city council's president pro tem — in a video interview posted Friday refused to back away from her incendiary Facebook comment about the mob attack victims, saying that "they begged for that beat down!"

Not only that, but Parks also suggested the white man who was caught on video slapping a black man in the face instigated the mob attack.

"I don't celebrate the fact that he got beat up," Parks told WKRC-TV after the 9:30 mark in the video. "But I also understand why he got beat up. And I believe he does, too. I'm sorry it happened. But there are actions and reactions. And it seemed to me that he was looking for trouble, and so he got trouble."

When the interviewer told Parks, "Certainly you could not be advocating violence," she replied, "By no means. Absolutely not, I'm not advocating violence."

But then she brought race into the mix, saying that one of the conversations black parents have with their children is "you never start a fight with a white person. But if they hit you first, that becomes a reason for all of the frustration and hurt and terror ... of generations, historical generational pain, to be released. And I believe that's what happened."

However, BlazeTV host Jason Whitlock last week stated on “Jason Whitlock Harmony" that he's heard the argument that the white man "started it" by making physical contact with the black man and that was justification for the mob attack.

"That's ridiculous to me," Whitlock said. "The level of attack on this man? Completely unjustified."

BlazeTV contributor Shemeka Michelle agreed, telling Whitlock the attack was "definitely unjustified. When they tried to show the video of the guy in the red being pushed and acting as if that was justification. ... But for all of these people to jump in — and it wasn't just men jumping in; there were women jumping in as if they were men."

Whitlock also posted a message on X calling out the mob attack the day after it happened, saying that "this behavior and lack of national outrage are unsustainable. It's unsustainable. The anti-white bigotry at the root of this behavior must be addressed. Sickening."

In addition, another Cincinnati council member Meeka Owens told WLWT in a separate story — referencing Parks' "they begged for that beat down" comment — that "making comments that inflame a violent incident is never acceptable" and that "endorsing violence is neither effective nor responsible." Owens added to the station that "it is not beneficial to the city nor the region when [Parks] advocates for violence as a means of retribution" and that "the comments of one lame-duck member of Cincinnati City Council do not represent the opinions or perspectives of the Council as a whole, and certainly not mine.”

While Parks announced in January that she isn't running for re-election, Owens added to NewsNation in a video interview that Parks' resignation should be an option as a result of her controversial words about the mob attack victims.

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'Despicable human being!!' Cincinnati official triggers venomous reactions to her comment about mob attack victims

A Cincinnati council member is drawing intense backlash over a comment she made about the victims of last weekend's viral mob attack.

Victoria Parks — the city council's president pro tem — said "they begged for that beat down!" the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

'Disgusting comment! Victim shaming! NO ONE deserves that type of assault! You need to be removed from public office!'

Parks' comment went up at 4:50 a.m. Sunday under another Facebook user's post that includes video of the physical attack. Her comment — in which she added, "I am grateful for the whole story" — was still visible Thursday morning within the post.

Those reacting underneath her comment didn't hold back:

"A city council member condoning violence in her city is not a good look," one commenter wrote.
"As someone who supports the majority of your positions, this comment is absolutely unbecoming of a city councilperson, disgraceful, and beyond the pale. You need to resign. Step aside and let someone with tact handle the job," another user said.
"Clown," another commenter replied.
"Racist," another user declared.

Others visited Parks' own Facebook page and flooded one of her posts — unrelated to the mob attack — with angry words:

"A well-deserved beat down is waiting for you," one commenter told Parks.
"What a despicable human being!!" another user told her.
"If that post is verified, and all signs suggest that it is, Victoria Parks was clearly condoning violence, specifically racially charged violence, with her public comment," another commenter wrote. "If this wasn’t just a one-off but part of a broader pattern of bias that influenced her decisions as a public servant, it could open the door to civil lawsuits. If her prejudice affected anything related to public safety, city resources, or law enforcement, the City of Cincinnati could face serious legal consequences."
"Try running your mouth in the state just to your west and see what comes your way," another user said.
"Mm-mm, the Lord is exposing folks left and right, and baby, He’s showing the world exactly who you are," another commenter observed. "That mouth ain’t fit for public office, or the pulpit. Jesus don’t bless no mess like this."
"You are so gross," another user told Parks.
"Disgusting comment! Victim shaming! NO ONE deserves that type of assault! You need to be removed from public office!" another commenter exclaimed.
"I would sure like to know why in the world a city councilwoman would make remarks like this. These people that are hitting, kicking and stomping the head of one person as a mob are nothing more than thugs with animalistic behaviors. Prosecute, prosecute, prosecute them," another user said before adding, "Kick Miss Stupidmouth off the city council!!!!!!"

Blaze News on Wednesday emailed Parks and asked her if she posted the comment and would care to explain it; Parks as of Thursday afternoon has not yet replied to Blaze News' inquiry.

Same deal with the Enquirer. The paper said Parks "did not respond to multiple messages Wednesday seeking comment. Parks’ office in Cincinnati City Hall was dark and the door was locked on Wednesday afternoon when an Enquirer reporter knocked. There was no answer."

However, WLWT-TV said Parks confirmed that she did post the comment and stands by it.

Fellow council member Meeka Owens noted to WLWT in reference to Parks' words that "making comments that inflame a violent incident is never acceptable" and that "endorsing violence is neither effective nor responsible." Owens added to the station that "it is not beneficial to the city nor the region when [Parks] advocates for violence as a means of retribution" and that "the comments of one lame-duck member of Cincinnati City Council do not represent the opinions or perspectives of the Council as a whole, and certainly not mine.”

Parks announced in January that she isn't running for re-election.

'The level of attack on this man? Completely unjustified.'

In one widely shared cellphone video of the early Saturday morning beatdown, a man dressed in a white shirt and black pants is chased into the street and knocked down before multiple attackers repeatedly punch and kick and stomp him over the course of nearly a minute amid hooting and hollering. Soon a woman in a blue dress is seen apparently trying to intervene on behalf of the beaten-up man, but she's punched in the back of her head by another female — and seconds later, a male punches her in the face, knocking her flat on her back on the street. A disturbing close-up of the woman's face shows her eyes wide open and body motionless before a few people try to help her up.

A second clip shows three other men knocked to the surface of the same street. Then one attacker leaps and lands his body atop one of the male victims — pro-wrestling-style — while the victim is still lying on the street surface. Afterward, a laughing, smiling male pulls the attacker away.

A third video shows what appears to be the same victim from the previous clip getting pummeled from behind and knocked to the ground as a voice is heard saying, "Sleep him again!" The victim is then dragged by his foot into the middle of the street.

A fourth video, however, appears to show what preceded the beatdown as depicted in the first video. It shows the man dressed in the white shirt and black pants — who was beaten up in the first video — squaring off with a male in a red shirt and black shorts who would soon take part in the mob attack. It appears to show the man dressed in the white shirt and black pants making physical contact with the male in the red shirt and black shorts — and then it's on.

An additional Facebook video appears to show even more of what occurred prior to the mob attack. It depicts what seems to be a verbal argument and minor scuffle that was on its way to calming down, and the man dressed in the white shirt and black pants seems to lightly slap the face of the male in the red shirt and black shorts, which — as noted above — leads to the beatdown.

However, BlazeTV host Jason Whitlock on Monday stated on “Jason Whitlock Harmony" that he's heard the argument that the man dressed in the white shirt and black pants — a white man — "started it" by making physical contact with the male in the red shirt and black shorts — a black man — and that was justification for the mob attack.

"That's ridiculous to me," Whitlock said. "The level of attack on this man? Completely unjustified."

Police have arrested three of the five charged suspects in connection with the mob attack — and one of the arrestees reportedly was out on bond for weapons charges when the street beatdown took place.

The arrestees so far are: 39-year-old Jermaine Matthews, 24-year-old Dekyra Vernon, and 34-year-old Montianez Merriweather, WXIX-TV reported. The two other charged suspects have not been named.

Merriweather and Vernon were booked Tuesday afternoon into the Hamilton County Justice Center on charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot, WXIX said, citing jail and court records. Matthews was booked into the county jail just after 1 a.m. Wednesday on charges of aggravated riot and assault, the station reported.

Merriweather was "identified on video punching [the] victim while co-defendants are stomping the victim in the head," while Vernon "struck [the] victim in the face with a closed fist prior to the victim becoming unconscious from the attack," WXIX reported, citing criminal complaints. Details on Matthews' case had not yet been filed in the court record, the station said.

The Cincinnati Enquirer said Vernon's bond was set at $200,000. Hamilton County court records show she has no prior criminal convictions in the county, the paper reported in a separate story.

Merriweather's situation is a bit more complicated, shall we say.

It turns out he was indicted July 10 on four felony charges after investigators said he was found in possession of a stolen firearm, the Enquirer reported. Court records indicate he was charged with carrying concealed weapons, receiving stolen property, improper handling of firearms in a vehicle, and weapons under disability, the paper noted. The weapons under disability charge stems from a 2009 felony conviction for aggravated robbery, the Enquirer said, citing documents.

But after his indictment just two weeks ago, Merriweather was released upon posting 10% of a $4,000 bond, the paper said.

"He never should have been out," Ken Kober, Cincinnati police union president, told the Enquirer.

Merriweather's bond in connection with the mob attack charges against him was set at $500,000, the Enquirer reported.

As for Matthews, his bond was set at $100,000, the paper said — although he later was charged with felony assault, as well, and a bond for that charge will be discussed at a Thursday hearing.

Matthews apparently is no stranger to law enforcement, either. More from WXIX:

Matthews is a convicted felon who pleaded guilty in 2009 to two counts of cocaine possession and a single count of cocaine trafficking, court records show.

He was sentenced to three years in prison.

During each of his two separate arrests in those cases — in December 2008 and February 2009 — police said Matthews tried to swallow a bag of crack cocaine but spit it out after being shocked with a Taser stun gun.

The FBI on Monday opened an investigation into the mob attack, WXIX reported. Fox News said the incident is under investigation as a potential hate crime.

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge told NewsNation Monday she anticipates more people will be charged over the mob attack and said, "Anyone who put their hands on another individual during this incident in an attempt to cause harm will face consequences.”

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