CINCINNATI – After a viral public beatdown in downtown Cincinnati, another resident and victim of a heinous violent crime is speaking out about his experience with roving mobs in the city.
On Sept. 23, 2023, Chris Lewis, then 39, was walking home late at night from a Cincinnati Reds game when he was randomly jumped by three juveniles.
“They just immediately sucker-punched me in the eye,” Lewis told Fox News Digital in an interview Monday. “And then, right as soon as that happened, I knew that I was in trouble.”
Christopher Lewis stands on the corner of Liberty and Elm streets, where he was brutally attacked in 2023, in Cincinnati Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. Lewis was attacked by a group of juveniles in 2023, and he permanently lost his left eye. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital )
“The detective pretty much told us to move on and not worry about apprehending these kids,” Karen Lewis said. “He said even if they did find them, they would basically be let out almost immediately. He said at least one of these kids was a really bad kid and had been in trouble before. He said that he would do something someday and karma would catch up with him.”
She blames a “soft-on-crime attitude of the juvenile court system” in Cincinnati.
“The juvenile court system fails the citizens of Cincinnati. Crime is kept quiet. My son thought he was safe and later found out that a lot of crime is not made public,” she said.
Mayor Aftab Pureval arrives at a press conference about the viral beatdown in downtown Cincinnati. (Fox News Digital )
Cincinnati Police Public Information Officer Lt. Jonathan Cunningham said suspects were difficult to identify because Lewis’ beating happened in the early morning hours.
“I have not had the opportunity to review this case in detail, but if my memory serves me correctly, extensive investigatory hours were put into this case with all leads being exhausted,” he said. “At the onset of this case, many local media covered the story. Again, our investigative teams work tirelessly on all reports of violence in an effort to hold those accountable for their violent behavior.”
He said a suspect was eventually found, but had a provable alibi.
During the brutal July 26 beatdown, which has reverberated across the country, one woman, identified only as Holly, was left with serious brain trauma.
Holly, a victim of the viral Cincinnati assault, was knocked unconscious on the ground (left) and with injuries after the attack (right). (Tricia Mackie/Fox 19 on X; X/@Anthea06274890)
“It’s been very, very hard, and I’m still recovering,” Holly said in a video posted online. “I still have very bad brain trauma.”
“I just want to say thank you so much to 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 and humanity.”
According to the latest update from police, four suspects have been arrested, and two more are still at large. Though the viral video shows only two primary victims, police say there are four other victims of the attack.
Further investigations, arrests and charges are expected, according to Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval.
