A Texas State University student has been expelled after footage emerged showing him mimicking the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus memorial event, prompting swift action from university officials and Governor Greg Abbott.
The unnamed student was filmed on Monday slapping his neck and pretending to collapse whilst shouting “Charlie Kirk got hit in the neck, b***h” in front of supporters who had gathered to honour the murdered Turning Point USA founder. The disturbing incident occurred just days after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot whilst speaking at Utah Valley University in Utah.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott led calls for immediate expulsion, posting on social media platform X: “This conduct is not accepted at our schools. Expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination must have consequences.”
Swift University Response
Within six hours of the governor’s demand, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse confirmed the student had been expelled from the institution. “I will not tolerate behaviour that mocks, trivialises, or promotes violence on our campuses,” Damphousse stated in an official announcement.
The viral video, which garnered over one million views within hours, showed the expelled student climbing onto the Fighting Stallions statue at the university’s Quad before repeating his offensive gesture. He introduced himself as “Charlie Kirk” before dramatically falling to the ground, mimicking the moment the activist was shot.
Federal privacy laws prevent the university from releasing the student’s identity or providing additional details about disciplinary proceedings. However, Damphousse emphasised such behaviour was “antithetical to our TXST values.”
Pattern of Campus Incidents
The Texas State expulsion represents the latest in a series of disciplinary actions taken against students and educators who have mocked Kirk’s death. An 18-year-old Texas Tech University student, Camryn Giselle Booker, was arrested and expelled on Friday after shouting “F*** y’all homie dead, he got shot in the head” during a Kirk vigil.
The Texas Education Agency revealed it has received more than 280 complaints about educators making inappropriate comments regarding Kirk’s assassination on social media. At least two teachers have been sacked, whilst two others have resigned following public backlash.
“If we have members of our society, whether they be students or otherwise, who celebrate an assassination, we have a dramatic course correction we have to take in this state,” Governor Abbott told reporters on Tuesday.
Murder Investigation Advances
The campus incidents come as prosecutors pursue capital murder charges against Tyler Robinson, 22, who allegedly shot Kirk during a “Prove Me Wrong” debate event at Utah Valley University on 10 September. The conservative activist was addressing approximately 3,000 attendees when a single shot struck him in the neck.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray announced prosecutors will seek the death penalty, citing evidence including text messages in which Robinson allegedly confessed to his roommate. “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” Robinson reportedly wrote after the attack.
Court documents reveal Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had become increasingly political over the past year, “becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” She identified him from surveillance footage released by authorities during the manhunt.
Robinson faces seven criminal charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. He appeared virtually in court on Tuesday wearing an anti-suicide vest and remained emotionless as prosecutors outlined their case.
National Political Tensions
Kirk’s assassination has intensified political divisions across American university campuses. The married father of two young children had co-founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and became a prominent voice in President Donald Trump’s political movement.
The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump announced following the shooting. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
Vice President JD Vance, who described an eight-year friendship with Kirk, escorted the activist’s body back to Phoenix aboard Air Force Two. Every living former president has condemned the political violence, with former President Bill Clinton calling it “murder in cold blood whilst expressing political views.”
Free Speech Debate Intensifies
The expulsions have sparked debates about free speech on university campuses. Some civil liberties advocates argue the disciplinary actions may violate First Amendment protections, particularly as the Texas State incident occurred in a designated “free speech zone.”
Texas State President Damphousse attempted to address campus tensions, stating: “Just as the behaviour in the video was reprehensible, attempts to spread blame onto innocent students are also unacceptable. The actions of one person do not reflect our entire community.”
The controversy comes as Texas legislators create new committees focused on civil discourse and freedom of expression at publicly funded institutions. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced the groups would ensure implementation of Senate Bill 2972, which limits protests on public university campuses.
Wider Cultural Impact
Beyond university campuses, Kirk’s death has prompted widespread consequences for those mocking the tragedy. American Airlines grounded a pilot who made derogatory comments about Kirk on social media. Television network Nexstar cancelled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night programme after the host suggested Kirk’s alleged murderer was part of a “MAGA gang.”
In Britain, ITV’s Good Morning Britain received more than 350 Ofcom complaints after guest Nels Abbey compared Kirk to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke less than 24 hours after the assassination.
Federal investigators continue examining whether Robinson acted alone. FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that agents are interviewing more than 20 people who participated in online chats with the suspect, who allegedly planned the attack for over a week.
The FBI has established a Virtual Family Assistance Centre for those present at the Utah Valley University event. Robinson remains in custody without bail at Utah County jail whilst awaiting preliminary hearings.
As memorial services continue across American universities, the incidents highlight deepening political polarisation on campuses. Texas State’s Turning Point USA chapter thanked those who attended Monday’s memorial, posting on social media: “This is what he would’ve wanted. Rest in peace.”
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