Man Arrested After Viral Video Shows Racist Rant Outside Social Security Office By Ashley Vega

A 65-year-old man was arrested after a viral video appeared to show him yelling profanities and racial slurs outside a Social Security office in Gwinnett County, Ga., police said. The outburst reportedly happened in front of a crowd that included children.

Gwinnett County police identified the man as Robert John Burke and said he was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, per Fox 5. Authorities said the incident took place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at a Social Security office near Norcross.

Cell phone video obtained by police through open records showed Burke shouting aggressively at people outside the building, with portions muted due to profanity and slurs. In the footage, he could also be heard claiming “Free speech.”

Police said there are limits to what is protected under the First Amendment, including “fighting words,” which they described as language that could provoke violence in the moment. Investigators said they used the video and witness accounts to secure a warrant for Burke’s arrest.

According to the police report cited by Fox 5, a security guard told officers Burke had previously been banned from the location. The guard said Burke became irate after being told he could not enter.

Related Stories

Seattle McDonald’s Nicknamed ‘McStabby’s’ Removes Door and Serves Customers Through a Hatch amid Multiple Attacks

5-Year-Old Boy Who Died Weighing Just 19 Pounds Faced ‘Barely Livable’ Conditions at Parents’ Home, Police Say

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Officers were initially unable to locate Burke at the Social Security office, police said. But Fox 5 reported that he was later taken into custody after authorities responded to another disturbance at a hotel near Duluth the following day.

Burke is currently being held in custody on a charge of disorderly conduct with a $1,300 bond.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Gwinnett County Police Department for comment.