A man is behind bars at the Sarasota County Jail after allegedly choking a nurse at Venice Regional Bayfront Health earlier in the week. The incident happened in the emergency room and was witnessed by a Venice firefighter, Derek Lowery, who assisted by grabbing the suspect and taking him to the ground. . Police and fire responded to a backup request from Lowery and secured the suspect. The suspect was on some sort of drug high, possibly causing the choking of the nurse. The man also but his wife’s finger, nearly to the point of it being severed. . He faces charges of aggravated battery, aggravated battery on an officer/firefighter/EMT, and a violation of probation warrant for possession of a controlled substance. There has been no bond offered at this time.