A Baltimore nightclub security guard has been terminated from his position and taken into police custody after a disturbing video surfaced showing him choking a university student through a car window during a heated confrontation.
The shocking incident, which occurred outside a popular Baltimore establishment, was captured on multiple mobile phones and quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting immediate public outcry and police investigation.
Violent Confrontation Caught on Camera
Video evidence shows the bouncer, identified as 34-year-old Michael Johnson, leaning into a vehicle and applying a chokehold to a 21-year-old college student during what witnesses describe as a dispute over parking arrangements. The student's friends can be heard pleading with Johnson to release his grip as the victim appears to struggle for breath.
"I thought he was going to kill him right there in front of us," stated one witness who requested anonymity. "The bouncer completely lost control and used excessive force for what should have been a minor disagreement."
Immediate Consequences and Police Response
Baltimore Police Department confirmed they responded to multiple emergency calls regarding the incident and have since charged Johnson with second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. The nightclub management issued a statement within hours of the video going viral, announcing Johnson's immediate dismissal.
"We have zero tolerance for this type of behaviour from our security staff," read the club's official statement. "The individual involved has been terminated effective immediately, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation."
Student Recounts Terrifying Ordeal
The victim, a student at nearby University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was treated at the scene for minor injuries and visible neck abrasions. He has since been released from medical care but remains shaken by the experience.
Legal representatives for the student family have indicated they intend to pursue both criminal and civil actions against both the bouncer and the establishment that employed him.
Broader Implications for Security Industry
This incident has reignited debates about security guard training and oversight in the hospitality industry. Local officials are calling for stricter regulations and mandatory de-escalation training for all bouncers and nightclub security personnel.
The case continues to develop as investigators review additional footage and interview multiple witnesses to build their case against the former security guard.
