This post has been updated.
John McGraw, 78, was arrested and charged Thursday with assault and battery and disorderly conduct after he allegedly punched a black protester at Donald Trump’s rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to local TV station WRAL.
McGraw was caught on video apparently sucker-punching Rakeem Jones as Jones was being escorted out of the rally by officers with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Jones was walking up the stairs when McGraw walked up to the aisle and allegedly punched him.
Jones then appeared to be restrained on the ground by authorities when he reached the top of the stairs. While some reports said the officers handcuffed him, Jones later told WRAL that “they didn’t handcuff me. They escorted me.”
A magistrate set McGraw’s bail at $2,500 on Thursday, according to WRAL. His next court appearance was scheduled for Apr. 6.
The officers’ response to the situation was also being investigated by the sheriff’s Internal Affairs Department, according to the Wall Street Journal.
