A soldier who was charged with assaulting a young Black man earlier this week has been suspended, Fort Jackson officials have confirmed.
Jonathan Pentland, 42, was filmed as he attacked a man named only as Deandre - berating the young man to leave his neighborhood in the area of Summit, South Carolina on Monday, April 12.
He told Deandre: "You're in the wrong neighborhood, motherf****r!"
The footage was subsequently uploaded to Twitter where it went viral and led to Pendland's identification and him being reported to his superiors and the police.
The MailOnline reports that after being charged with third-degree assault on April 14, Pentland was formally suspended from instructor duties.
A Fort Jackson spokesperson confirmed the report and said that he would remain suspended until the Department of Justice had investigated the incident.
Commander Brig. Gen. Milford Beagle, Jr said: "Soldier conduct on and off duty must be exemplary to retain the trust of our communities and our nation."
"Fort Jackson continues to work with and support Sheriff Lott, our local law enforcement professionals, and community & civil leadership as this case moves forward."
Officials from Fort Jackson added in a tweet: "Pentland has been suspended from instructor duties pending the completion of the investigation and outcome of the criminal charges."
Protesters gathered outside the soldier's home after the clip went viral, with dozens of people turning up at the end of his driveway to let their feelings be known.
The protestors chanted "no justice, no peace" with one woman at the event being recorded saying: "We just want to talk, we want to understand some things, that's it."
Newsweek reports that Pentland's family has been rehomed out of safety concerns, however, Pentland himself has not been temporarily rehomed, although the sheriff's department could not confirm his whereabouts.
If found guilty, the soldier is facing a $500 fine and up to 30 days behind bars.
A witness said that Pentland pushed Deandre during the incident, knocking his mobile phone out of his hand and causing its screen to crack.
