( CNN ) -- The arrest of R & B singer Mario for allegedly assaulting his mother was `` an unfortunate incident between a loving son and a mother who continues to struggle with a devastating addiction , '' his lawyer said Saturday . Mario , 24 , was charged with second degree assault after police were called to a Baltimore , Maryland high-rise apartment complex with a report of `` a mental case breaking up property inside '' an apartment early Friday . Shawntia Hardaway , who was waiting in theground-floor lobby , told authorities that her 24-year-old son was in the apartment `` throwing and damaging property , '' the police report said . `` Anyone who has waged the battle to save loved ones from the forces of drugs knows the irrational behavior that almost always accompanies their actions , '' said Hassan Murphy , Mario 's Baltimore attorney , on Saturday . `` Despite the allegations , Mario remains committed to supporting his mother . '' On Friday , Hardaway said her son `` started yelling at her and he used his hands and forearms and pushed her in the chest and shoulder area causing minor pain and discomfort , '' according to police . Police found a `` severely damaged '' china cabinet , a broken mirror , a busted door and `` a lot of glass lying on the floor '' when they entered the apartment , the report said . After his mother told police she feared for her life , they arrested Mario and booked him on a second degree assault charge , police said . Mario 's troubled relationship with his mother was the subject of an award-winning TV documentary in 2007 . `` I Wo n't Love You to Death : The Story of Mario and His Mom '' documented his struggle to help his heroin-addicted mother . His full name is Mario Barrett , but he does not use his surname professionally . He professional singing career began when he was 16 with the 2002 hit `` Just a Friend . '' A Baltimore police spokeswoman was unable to confirm if Mario had posted bail . CNN 's Brittany Kaplan and Denise Quan contributed to this report .
Mario 's lawyer blamed his mother 's `` irrational behavior '' Police said Mario 's mother said she feared for her life . Broken glass , cracked mirror and busted door were found . A 2007 MTV documentary explored Mario 's struggles with his mother .