CINCINNATI – The FBI and Department of Justice have confirmed that there is an open federal investigation into the vicious downtown beating last weekend that went viral online, shocking the nation.

“The FBI has been and will continue closely coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department on this matter,” the federal law enforcement group told Fox News Digital on Wednesday morning. 

A DOJ official also confirmed Wednesday morning that there is an open federal investigation into the matter. 

A fight broke out on Friday night in Downtown Cincinnati, leaving several people injured. (X/@Anthea06274890)

As of Wednesday morning, three people had been arrested and taken into custody, while two others had been charged but not yet arrested. 

Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were arrested Tuesday night. Both face felonious assault, aggravated riot and assault charges. Merriweather is being held on a $500,000 bond, while Vernon is being held on a $200,000 bond.

A third suspect, Jermaine Matthews, was taken into custody overnight and charged with aggravated riot and assault. He is being held on $100,000 bond. 

Meriweather was out on bond after being charged with receiving stolen property, weapons under disability, improper transportation of a firearm and other charges earlier this month. 

Cincinnati Chief of Police Teresa Theetge denounced the attack at a Tuesday night public safety meeting. 

Cincinnati Chief of Police Teresa Theetge announces the arrests of two people who were allegedly involved in a fight over the weekend that gained national attention. (Fox News Digital)

“Let me be clear, crystal clear, that was a violent, violent encounter,” she said. “It makes me sick to watch it over and over again on national news especially. I do not like Cincinnati being portrayed in a negative light on the national news. We can do better. We can so much better.”

Theetge declined to comment further after the meeting, and the Cincinnati Police Department did not return a Wednesday morning comment request. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Pureval’s office. 

Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.