A white man caught on video slapping a black man moments before a mob attack in Cincinnati last month has been charged, according to WLWT-TV.
The 45-year-old man is set to appear in Hamilton County City Court next Tuesday, as reported by the station.
While police haven’t released his name, they mentioned that he’s considered a victim of the mob attack, citing Mercy’s law, which protects his identity. However, WLWT noted that the man, identified as Alex Chichelbinsky, spoke to them on the phone and confirmed facing a misdemeanor charge related to disorderly conduct.
The mobile phone video shows a brief encounter between Chichelbinsky and several black men before the violence escalated. In the footage, there’s some light physical contact, and despite attempts to diffuse the situation by others nearby, Chichelbinsky delivers a light slap to one of the black men just before the mob attack begins.
Another video depicts the aftermath, where a mob can be seen violently attacking the man while he lay on the ground.
WLWT’s report identified Chichelbinsky as the individual seen in the video slapping a black man. Furthermore, it seems the men surrounding the victim retaliated physically immediately after the slap. Police are currently searching for another suspect, whose appearance coincidentally matches that of the man filmed retaliating.
Local black leaders have voiced their demands for charges against the man who slapped, raising questions about the motivations behind the ensuing riot. Pastor Damon Lynch remarked during a community gathering that if a slap triggered such chaos, then the responsibility for inciting the riot needs further examination.
In the wake of this incident, discussions have intensified in Cincinnati, with public figures scrutinizing the collective response of community leaders. Jason Whitlock, a host on BlazeTV, voiced his discontent over the rationalizations being made regarding the slap and suggested that violence, regardless of race, should not be justified.
WLWT reported that Ken Cober, the president of Cincinnati’s Brotherhood Police Order, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to charge Chichelbinsky. Meanwhile, Hamilton County Chief Prosecutor Kip Guinan stated that one of the individuals involved was already targeted before the violent incident began, acknowledging that racially charged language can be heard in some videos of the mob attack.
“Yes, there were inappropriate words,” he commented, but emphasized the broader context of the violence seen in the videos.
Concerns have also been voiced by David Whitehead, president of the Cincinnati NAACP, who questioned the fairness of the charges against Chichelbinsky based on the evidence and conversations held.
Before this charge, authorities had already arrested seven others— all black— in connection with the mob assault. The majority of them face multiple felony charges, which could lead to nearly 30 years in prison if convicted.
Interestingly, two female suspects received a significant reduction in their bail amounts last week, allowing for their release shortly thereafter.
In a further development, Gregory Wright, the seventh suspect, was charged with more serious crimes, including aggravated robbery, during a court appearance where he pleaded not guilty.
Amidst all this, varying perspectives and heated discussions continue, reflecting a complex situation that has gripped the community and raised lingering questions about fairness, justice, and accountability in the aftermath of violence.
