A 78-year-old Maine man has been charged with assault after a viral video captured him allegedly shoving a journalist at a protest. Police identified the man as Ronald Staples, of Holden, Maine.
The incident occurred at an anti-Donald Trump protest in Bangor, according to The Maine Wire, the publication for which the journalist, Joe Sokol, works.
Video posted online shows Sokol interviewing demonstrators. As Sokol walks away from one interview, a man identified as Staples appears to shove Sokol and his cameraman. Sokol is heard exclaiming, "Whoa, whoa, that’s assault."
Later in the video, Sokol confronts the man, asking why he shoved him. The man, who was carrying a sign that read "Healthcare 4 all," replied, "I didn’t see you," before walking away.
An unidentified woman can be seen following Staples and apologizing profusely to Sokol, stating, "I’m sorry, we don’t do that."
In a separate clip, the same individual appears to back into Sokol and then allegedly elbow him while Sokol was attempting to interview another man at the protest. No verbal exchange between Sokol and Staples is apparent in the video.
The Bangor Police Department confirmed Staples' identity and the assault charge. Details surrounding the events leading up to or immediately following the alleged assault have not yet been released by authorities. Fox News Digital reached out to Staples and The Maine Wire for comment but did not receive a response.