Cincinnati Race Riot Update: Three Arrested, One Sought in Bloody Beating of White Tourist

Jul 12th, 2015 

Three arrests have been made in the shocking beating of a white male tourist in Cincinnati by a mob of Black men on the Fourth of July during a race riot. One additional suspect is being sought by police in the attack that officials now say started as a robbery.

The bloody attack on Christopher McKnight of Indiana was caught on two cellphone videos that went viral after being posted online. McKnight suffered a concussion, broken nose and cuts that required stitches.

18-year-old Steven Montgomery turned himself in on Friday accompanied by his parents., reported WLWT.

17-year-old Antonio Tremble was arrested Friday at his home, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

19-year-old Raeshaun Hand was arrested on Thursday. The Enquirer said Hand is being held on $100,000 bond and that a grand jury is scheduled to report on his case July 20.

A warrant has been issued for 28-year-old Mordecai Black. All four are being charged with felonious assault,reported WLW-AM.

Hand reportedly confessed to knocking out McKnight.

Video report by WKRC-TV.

McKnight was in the tourist section of Cincinnati as a hip hop and electronica concert at Fountain Square was letting out around 11:30 p.m. According to new information released by Hamilton County prosecutor, McKnight was robbed of his wallet. He was then beaten when he tried to get it back, reported WLWT-TV.

“Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said that McKnight had his wallet hanging from his back pocket and he was robbed.

“Deters said McKnight was trying to get his belongings back and was fighting with Hand, saying “I want my stuff back,” when he was beaten.

“Deters said McKnight was intoxicated and kept coming back to confront Hand.

“Additional charges against Hand are possible, but Deters said he doesn’t believe the crime rises to the level of an ethnic intimidation charge.”

Police reportedly think the riot was touched off by the beating of McKnight. The mostly Black youth crowd threw fireworks, rocks, bottles and punches at police. Two officers were wounded. Seven people, including three juveniles were arrested that night.

Police have gone back and forth on whether they believe the attack on McKnight was an anti-white hate crime.

The city has since canceled hip hop concerts at Fountain Square.

Cincinnati is hosting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game this week near where the riot occurred.

Kristinn Taylor