A Sunday trip to the Cincinnati Zoo turned chaotic when a fight in the cafeteria ended with two men in handcuffs and a juvenile girl reportedly struck in the head by a chair, according to police records. Officers moved in quickly, detaining the men, taking witness statements and clearing the area. Both suspects now face criminal charges tied to the fracas, and one appears in his booking photo with a noticeable cut and bruise.
According to FOX19, police records identify the suspects as DeShannon Gibson, 32, and Dwayne Parks, 37. Gibson is charged with assault and an additional count of criminal damaging/endangering, while Parks is charged with assault. The reports state the two began fighting a little before 3:30 p.m. in the zoo cafeteria and that a juvenile was hit by a chair, though the paperwork does not detail the extent of the child’s injuries. Gibson told officers that Parks "punched him multiple times," and Gibson’s booking photo shows a cut and a bruise on the left side of his face, the station reports.
How Ohio law treats the charges
Under Ohio law, assault makes it a crime to knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm and is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor of the first degree, although certain facts can elevate the charge. The criminal-damaging or endangering statute addresses conduct that creates a substantial risk of physical harm to people or property and can carry felony consequences depending on the circumstances. For the statutory language and penalties see the Ohio Revised Code section on assault and the Ohio Revised Code section on criminal damaging or endangering.
What’s next
FOX19 reports that the police records do not list court dates or formal filings, and Hamilton County prosecutors will decide whether to pursue charges and what counts to file. The station’s story does not include a statement from the zoo or an on-record comment from Cincinnati police, and the outlet is asking anyone with photos or video of the incident to share them with investigators and reporters. This story will be updated as court documents or official statements become available.
