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CINCINNATI – Following a viral incident of public violence in downtown Cincinnati, another local resident and victim of a brutal crime is sharing his story about encountering roaming mobs in the city.
Chris Lewis, then 39, was attacked by three juveniles while walking home late at night from a Cincinnati Reds game on Sept. 23, 2023.
“They immediately sucker-punched me in the eye,” Lewis recounted in an interview with Fox News Digital. “And at that moment, I knew I was in trouble.”
Christopher Lewis stands at the corner of Liberty and Elm streets in Cincinnati, where he was viciously attacked in 2023. Lewis lost his left eye in the attack. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital )
After undergoing six surgeries over a year and a half to restore his vision, Lewis ultimately lost his eye. He now wears a prosthetic.
“After the attack, I realized my eye was exposed,” he said. “I covered my face, sat on the ground, and tried to explain the severity of the injury to them. But they continued kicking me, ignoring my attempts to communicate.”
The teens stole Lewis’ earbuds and phone before fleeing into the night.
“It has significantly impacted my quality of life,” Lewis shared. “I struggle with driving, my confidence has taken a hit. This event has divided my life into ‘before’ and ‘after,’ affecting various aspects of my life and relationships.”
A self-taken photo of Chris Lewis after the 2023 attack that caused him to lose his left eye. (Chris Lewis)
None of the juveniles involved in the attack have been apprehended, and Lewis expressed frustration over the city’s limited resources in addressing the issue of violent crime.
“Juvenile issues have been prevalent, stretching resources thin,” Lewis remarked. “Not much effort was made to investigate my case, as the city seemed overwhelmed by the frequency of such incidents.”
Reflecting on a recent brawl in Cincinnati, Lewis emphasized the importance of working together to find solutions to combat violent crime and ensure community safety.
New footage of the viral Cincinnati brawl captures individuals using racial slurs during the violent episode. (Jay Black)
“City leaders should take this issue seriously, collaborate, identify root problems, and implement effective solutions,” Lewis urged. “Ignoring rising crime rates until they escalate out of control is not a viable strategy.”
Agreeing with her son, Karen Lewis criticized the lack of effort in solving the crime and pointed to a lenient juvenile court system in Cincinnati as a contributing factor.
“The juvenile court system fails the citizens of Cincinnati, keeping crimes under wraps,” she stated. “It’s essential for the community to feel safe, and addressing crime issues promptly and effectively is crucial.”
Mayor Aftab Pureval attends a press conference regarding the viral beatdown in downtown Cincinnati. (Fox News Digital )
Cincinnati Police Public Information Officer Lt. Jonathan Cunningham addressed challenges in identifying suspects due to the early morning timing of Lewis’ attack.
“Our investigative teams exhaust all leads to hold accountable those responsible for violent acts,” Lt. Cunningham stated. “While a suspect with a provable alibi was eventually found, our commitment to investigating all incidents of violence remains unwavering.”
During the July 26 beatdown, one woman identified as Holly sustained severe brain trauma.
Holly, a victim of the viral Cincinnati assault, was left unconscious on the ground (left) and suffered injuries after the attack (right). (Tricia Mackie/Fox 19 on X; X/@Anthea06274890)
Holly, who is still recovering from the ordeal, expressed gratitude for the support she has received.
Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the incident, with two additional suspects still at large. Further investigations and charges are anticipated, according to Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval.
