Two suspects, DeKyra Vernon and Aisha Devaughn, were released from the Hamilton County Jail on Friday after posting reduced bond amounts of $2,500 each. Their bond was lowered from $250,000 and $300,000, respectively, following their arraignment on Thursday. This follows the Cincinnati Police Department’s ongoing investigation into a violent felony assault that occurred on Fourth and Elm Street on July 26, 2025. While Vernon and Devaughn were released, the department is still seeking an eighth suspect in the case, which has drawn national attention due to its graphic nature and the level of violence displayed.
The attack, which took place outside a local nightclub in the early morning hours, resulted in multiple charges being filed against six suspects. These include three counts of felony assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated rioting. Patrick Rosemond, Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather, and Dominique Kittle are among the other suspects currently held in jail. Matthews posted his full bond of $250,000 immediately, while the rest of the suspects remain in custody. Merriweather also faces a separate federal gun charge for unlawful possession of a weapon as a convicted felon.
During an August 1 news conference, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval emphasized the city’s commitment to fully investigating the incident and ensuring that all individuals involved will be held accountable. “I agree with Pastor Lynch, that there is no doubt that this public safety challenge… will require further investigation, further charges and further arrests for every single person involved,” Pureval stated. Rev. Damon Lynch, a community leader, raised concerns during the same press briefing about the racial composition of those arrested. “I don’t see the person who re-engaged,” Lynch noted, highlighting ongoing racial tensions and the community’s demand for transparency and justice in the case.