Mocking a Murder, Facing Consequences: The Texas State Incident and Campus Accountability
What unfolded at Texas State University last week was ugly and avoidable, and it should matter to every parent and taxpayer who cares about safety and respect on campus. A student was caught on video mocking the assassination of a conservative activist and the fallout has ignited questions about free speech, accountability, and campus safety. The university moved quickly and leaders at the state level weighed in, which is exactly how responsible institutions respond.
The clip that started this storm showed the student in the crowd shouting, “Charlie Kirk got it in the neck!” before theatrically slapping his own neck and collapsing as if wounded. He then walked forward, declared “My name is Charlie Kirk,” repeated the staged convulsion, and later spat near others while a racial slur was reportedly used in an .
The reaction from officials was swift and firm, matching what most conservatives want to see: clear consequences for behavior that crosses into celebrating violence. Texas State’s president released a statement that spelled out the result in plain language: “The university has identified the student in the disturbing video from Monday’s event. I will not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence on our campuses. It is antithetical to our TXST values. The individual is no longer a student at TXST.” That is accountability, and it should be applauded.
Governor Greg Abbott also pushed the university to act, writing, “Hey, Texas State. This conduct is not accepted at our schools. Expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination[s] must have consequences.” His stance underscored a simple point: mockery of murder is beyond the pale and public institutions must protect students and families from that kind of hostility.
Not everyone agrees, of course, and the situation quickly splintered into competing narratives. An individual identifying himself as Devion Canty Jr. claimed he withdrew for safety reasons and launched a GoFundMe to cover educational costs and possible return to campus. That fundraising page raised nearly $25,000 quickly, which shows how national fights over campus incidents can escalate in minutes.
Recently, I faced a situation where I had to choose between immediate expulsion or withdrawing from the university. I made the decision to withdraw — not because I wanted to leave, but for my own safety and the well-being of the campus community.
Unfortunately, the only public narrative out there is that I am an ‘out-of-control, disrespectful young Black man.’ In reality, I am a passionate student who made a mistake in the heat of the moment after being repeatedly disrespected — spit on, called racial slurs, and witnessing women being cursed at and pushed around. I spoke up, and while I recognize my actions weren’t perfect, I did not harm anyone.
Other student groups amplified his campaign with strong statements, arguing the university coerced him into withdrawal under political pressure and threats. Their statement demanded due process and called for the expulsion of other students who allegedly hurled racial invective. This is the familiar pattern: one side says accountability, the other cries coercion, and the campus becomes a battlefield for narrative control.
Please support with whatever you can our brother in his fight to return to Texas State University. He was arbitrarily forced to withdraw under pressure from the governor of the state and the many threats to his life. The administration in a completely unprofessional and unprecedented manner presented him with a ‘Mafia’-style option of withdraw or be expelled. Mr. Canty earned his way into this university and deserved better treatment and due process from the university. We demand not only that he is allowed to return as a student but that the students who spewed racial vitriol at him at the statues are expelled immediately as they are the TRUE danger to this campus!
Outside commentators and ordinary citizens quickly weighed in, and many saw the video as a clear lesson in accountability. One commenter wrote, “Well, you now know what accountability is. You CHOSE to behave this way and mock the murder of a God-fearing man, who stood up for everyone in this country. I hope you have learned a valuable lesson. What you did on campus was disgusting.” Another bluntly observed, “Complaining that he was expelled for his words, while mocking a man that was murdered for his words. Grow up, take responsibility, and try and be a good human being.”
That bluntness reflects a Republican instinct: consequences should follow actions and institutions must enforce basic norms of decency. Celebrating or mimicking violence is not a political opinion worth protecting when it crosses into provocation, harassment, or threats. Campuses that try to treat all speech as untouchable invite chaos and demoralize students who want to learn in peace.
The incident at Texas State is not isolated. Across the country, college events tied to the tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s death have seen confrontations, hostile protests, and even alleged assaults. A reported episode at another university involved a student who was expelled after an aggressive encounter with a Kirk supporter and subsequent legal trouble, showing that these tensions can spiral into physical violence and arrests.
At New York University, a vigil held by College Republicans turned tense when protesters reportedly became confrontational and a musician allegedly yelled a disturbing chant. The clip of that moment was shared widely, and officials there also faced pressure to protect students who were mourning and seeking a safe space. Here’s the clip, which is used with permission from @nyurepublicans on X. Content warning: Language:
Conservatives should be clear-eyed about two things: first, free speech has limits when it becomes intimidation or celebration of murder, and second, universities must enforce standards of conduct consistently. That means supporting penalties for behavior like mocking an assassination while also insisting on fair, transparent processes so punishment is not arbitrary.
Finally, this episode is a moment for students and administrators to reset expectations. Campuses should be places that teach debate and resilience, not arenas for performance art that mimics violence. When leaders act decisively and fairly, they protect the vulnerable, preserve campus order, and send a message that basic human decency still matters.
What remains to be seen is whether Texas State and other universities will stick to these standards when the cameras leave and the headlines fade. If they do, that will be a win for students of all political stripes who just want a safe place to study and grieve without fear of being mocked or threatened. The stakes are real, and the response now will shape campus culture for years to come.
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h/t: The Blaze
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