Rand Paul Supporter Facing Assault Charge Following Stomping Incident

A Rand Paul supporter named Tim Profitt will face a fourth-degree assault charge for allegedly stomping on a MoveOn.org activist, according to WKYT, a local television station in Lexington, Kentucky.

The incident took place Monday night before a debate between Kentucky Senate hopefuls Rand Paul and Jack Conway. A video of the incident quickly circulated.

According to WKYT, Profitt says that he believed the activist, identified as a 23-year old named Lauren Valle, was a threat to Paul and that he stepped on her head because his back was too weak to restrain her by bending down. In a video following the incident, Valle says that she was attempting to give the candidate a mock employee of the month award from “Republicorp.”

Profitt also told WKYT that he believes Valle should apologize to him.

Both Paul and Conway’s campaigns issued statements condemning the incident.

“The Rand Paul for Senate campaign is extremely disappointed in, and condemns the actions of a supporter last night outside the … debate,” Paul’s statement read. “Whatever the perceived provocation, any level of aggression or violence is deplorable, and will not be tolerated by our campaign.”

The Paul campaign says that they have “disassociated” themselves from Profitt.