Four teens now arrested in Downtown group attacks

Editor's Note: The story was updated to clarify the mayor's remarks and with new arrest information.

A total of four teens have now been arrested in connection with two assaults in downtown Cincinnati last week.

Videos posted on social media by the police department and the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police show separate incidents where groups of young people attack a single victim. The offenses occurred on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 near Government Square.

Here's what we know about the attacks.

What happened in Downtown?

The two assaults last week occurred within a block of each other in Downtown near Government Square.

The first incident occurred on the evening of Jan. 23 near 33 E. Sixth Street. In a social media video posted by the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police, about eight teens are captured by overhead surveillance video approaching a man from behind on the sidewalk, tackling, punching and kicking him. One appears to pick up an item as they leave.

A similar incident the next day, Jan. 24, was shown in another surveillance video posted by the Cincinnati Police Department.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. near the 100 block of East Fifth Street. The video shows a group of about seven or eight young people chasing another down the sidewalk, pulling the person to the ground and kicking and punching them for about 20 seconds.

Has anyone been arrested?

Two teens have been arrested on robbery charges in the Jan. 23 offense, Jadin Shaw, 18, and a 14-year-old male, according to an incident report. The Enquirer does not name minors charged in juvenile court.

On Wednesday, police said two teens were wanted in connection with both assaults: a 16-year-old girl and another 14-year-old boy. The girl was arrested later on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, police said the boy was in custody as well.

What is the city doing in response?

Police presence will increase in certain areas Downtown.

Ten additional civil disturbance response officers will be posted around Fountain Square and Government Square during peak after-school hours, according to the mayor's office.

Currently, a Metro pass offered to Cincinnati Public Schools students can be used for any bus route, not just for going to school. The city and SORTA have been working on technology updates to ensure the bus passes only work during trips between school and home.

What is local leadership saying?

In a statement, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said it is tragic and unacceptable to see this kind of senseless violence among kids, calling upon their support systems to help.

"We need all partners — from our schools, to our courts, to community advocates. This is going to require a hard look at our systems and a multi-jurisdictional approach, and we’re committed to working with anyone who’s at the table."

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the video should be disturbing to all, and there will be severe consequences for juveniles who are inflicting harm in the community. Like the mayor, she called on families to help. She asked parents and guardians to have conversations with their children as these incidents arise.

"Discuss the negative consequences of being a participant or a spectator. You must know where your children are and who they associate themselves with," Theetge said in a Facebook post.

In reference to the two Downtown attacks and other recent violent crimes, Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober in a social media post said judges should do more to keep criminals off the streets by setting high bonds. He applauded a recent $300,000 bond set for a man accused of attacking an officer recently.

“The best way to keep our community safe is to detain dangerous individuals. This includes those who ambush strangers on public streets or attack police officers," Kober said.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said in a written statement: "This horrific violence has no place in our city. It has to stop and will not be tolerated. Anyone participating in these attacks needs to be behind bars."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Downtown Cincinnati group assaults: Four teens now in custody