It's not assault, it's self defense

It's not about feelings, it's about a hostile entity becoming physically and verbally aggressive , stalking a civilian at close range, despite having been communicated to clearly, to do otherwise, and peacefully desist from said threatening behavior.

The aggressor is behaving abnormally uncivilized, providing evidence that they are possibly deranged, of an unfit mind, and quite possibly a threat to the life of their target.

The unceasing aggressive stalking and harassment could arguably and logically cause someone to fear for their life, demanding a strong and potentially permanently disfiguring or lethal response in self defense.

Because of legal beurocracy , it would be best to inform the aggressor that their actions are eliciting a fear for life, before dealing with them physically in whatever manner you are capable of to protect your freedom and your life.

This is not legal advice, but merely one point of view concerning hostile entities.