A Louisville, Kentucky, physician has been charged for allegedly strangling a teenage girl during an argument about social distancing.

John Rademaker, 57, is the alleged perpetrator who was seen in the video posted to Reddit on Saturday. The footage shows the man shoving a group of teenage girls, then jumping on top of one Black teen, seemingly grabbing her by the neck while the woman holds her legs.

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, the confrontation took place at an amphitheater in a neighborhood known as Norton Commons. The incident began when Rademaker and his wife approached the group of nine teenagers, who were watching the sunset at the amphitheater. Witnesses said the couple chastised the group for not social distancing, and the confrontation continued to escalate until it became physical.

"Obviously, we do not advise individuals concerned about social distancing to take matters into their own hands and confront people about it, especially in any physical way," Louisville Metro Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Halladay wrote. "We ask people who are concerned about large gatherings to call 311 or 911 to report their concerns."

Rademaker was released on bond after being charged with first-degree strangulation and three counts of harassment with physical contact, the Courier Journal reported. The 57-year-old man, who works as a physician with New Albany-based Southern Indiana Anesthesia Consultants, was placed on leave, WLKY reported.

"SIAC, a division of One Anesthesia PLLC is aware of the incident that occurred in Norton Commons with one of its physicians, who was not on official call or due to report to the hospital in any official capacity," the group said in a statement. "With that said, the partners of SIAC, a division of One Anesthesia PLLC have decided to place the physician that appeared in the video on administrative leave as of April 5th pending further investigation. Our well wishes extend to all parties involved and we will continue to monitor this situation as new information develops."

Witnesses said the couple left quickly following the incident and the girl who was choked didn't need to be taken to the hospital after she was checked by medical personnel at the scene.

John Rademaker

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