Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge responded Monday to public outrage over a viral video showing a violent mob assault downtown, insisting the footage lacks “context” and accusing both social and mainstream media of distorting the situation. The attack left a man beaten and a woman knocked unconscious—yet Theetge appeared more focused on defending the department’s response than addressing the brutality captured on video.
The video, which quickly gained national attention, shows a man chased into the street and beaten by multiple attackers. A woman who intervened was then punched in the face and rendered unconscious. The incident reportedly went unnoticed by police until it began circulating online, despite occurring in a heavily populated downtown area.
Speaking at a press conference, Theetge claimed the widely viewed footage represented only “one version” of the incident and blamed media coverage for complicating the investigation. “At times, social media and mainstream media and their commentaries are misrepresentations,” she said, adding, “That makes our job more difficult.”
A witness told Fox19 NOW that the violence began after a verbal altercation escalated, with one man leaving and returning with a group to initiate the attack. Theetge confirmed five individuals have been charged but are not yet in custody. She said more arrests may follow and criticized the fact that only one person called police about the incident.
Despite widespread public concern, Theetge continued to downplay the footage, saying it lacked “factual context.” She argued that viral clips can “grow legs” and become exaggerated narratives that hinder law enforcement efforts.
The remarks have fueled further frustration among residents who believe the city’s leadership is deflecting blame instead of addressing rising lawlessness. The video’s graphic content and the delayed police response have sparked calls for accountability and tougher action against violent street crime.
