It could be considered assault depending on intent and on principles of provocation.
If this individual deliberately provoked you to anger or to a violent confrontation then the provocateur is culpable for the entire event.
Leftists learn to their horror that to provoke violence on themselves makes them the aggressor. Once they get out of the hospital they go to jail but you might also go to jail for excessive use of force.
You must warn your adversary that he is provoking violence and that you will retaliate if there is any physical contact.
Rocmike what is wrong? I have only seen 7 hours of posting under your aliases Terrance Hall, Renner, Anonymous and Dave Palmer. Dave Palmer is still posting and can make up for some lost time of repeating the same crap over and over.