Story highlights Trump held a rally in North Carolina

The altercation is not the first incident of violence at a Trump rally

Asheville, North Carolina (CNN) Police issued a warrant Tuesday for the arrest of a man whom reporters witnessed grabbing a protester by the neck and apparently hitting him in the face during a Donald Trump campaign rally.

The Asheville Police Department issued a warrant for Thomas Vellanti Jr.'s arrest on Tuesday morning after footage of the altercation on Monday, which the police department called an "assault," circulated on social media and in national news reports.

"This morning, the Asheville Police Department followed up on the incident and obtained warrants for the suspect, Thomas Vellanti Jr.," the police department said in a statement. "The Asheville Police Department worked diligently to protect both those attending the rally and those exercising their right to protest."

"APD has taken out warrants on Thomas Vellanti Jr. for the assault which was caught on video last night at the Donald Trump Rally. #AVLPD," the police department tweeted Tuesday.

APD has taken out warrants on Thomas Vellanti Jr. for the assault which was caught on video last night at the Donald Trump Rally. #AVLPD — Asheville Police (@AshevillePolice) September 13, 2016

The Trump campaign has not answered requests for comment. A call to Vellanti also went unanswered.

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