Federal and local authorities are continuing their investigation into a brutal mob-style attack in downtown Cincinnati that left one man hospitalized and at least five individuals facing felony charges, as reported by The Blaze.

The attack, which was caught on video and widely circulated online, has drawn national attention—and controversy—after one suspect’s mother publicly defended her son despite his violent criminal record.

Montianez Merriweather, 34, is charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot. Court documents state Merriweather was “identified on video punching [the] victim while co-defendants are stomping the victim in the head.” He was arrested Tuesday.

Outside the courtroom Wednesday, Merriweather’s mother, Clarissa Merriweather, told WLWT-TV:

“It wasn’t like they thugs. My child is in school, he has five kids, he’s on the B honor roll in school. He’s not the thug that they put out in there to be.”

However, Merriweather has a lengthy criminal record. Just weeks earlier, on July 10, he was indicted on four felony charges related to a stolen firearm.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, he was charged with carrying concealed weapons, receiving stolen property, improper handling of firearms in a vehicle, and weapons under disability—a charge stemming from a 2009 conviction for aggravated robbery.

He posted bond and was released before the mob assault took place.

“He never should have been out,” said Cincinnati police union president Ken Kober.

In the latest incident, a detective stated Merriweather was the “catalyst” for the violence, allegedly whispering to another suspect before ambushing the victim and striking him from behind.