San Marcos, Texas, September 17, 2025
News Summary
A Texas State University student has been expelled after a viral video surfaced showing them mocking the death of Charlie Kirk during a campus vigil. Governor Greg Abbott demanded the student’s immediate expulsion, condemning the behavior as unacceptable in educational settings. Texas State President Kelly Damphousse confirmed the expulsion, emphasizing the university’s commitment to upholding respectful standards. This incident has sparked a heated debate on free speech on college campuses, with mixed reactions from students and a broader discussion on civil discourse in education.
San Marcos, Texas – A Texas State University student has been expelled following a viral video showing them mocking the death of Charlie Kirk during a vigil held on campus. The incident occurred Monday night, where the student was seen imitating Kirk being shot in the neck and spitting on the ground. Earlier, the individual expressed derogatory sentiments about Kirk to another student, stating, “F Charlie Kirk, all my dead homies.”
In response to the incident, Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for the immediate expulsion of the student via a post on the social media platform X, asserting that such conduct is unacceptable in educational institutions. Following this, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse confirmed that the student in the video is no longer enrolled, emphasizing that the behavior contradicts the university’s values. He noted that intolerance for actions that mock or promote violence is crucial to uphold appropriate standards on campus.
The university cited federal law as the reason for refraining from additional comments regarding specific student conduct matters. This incident has ignited a larger discussion around free speech on college campuses, with opinions split among students. Some, like Audri Castillo and Felix Federer, defended the expelled student’s right to express their views, arguing that expulsion seems overly harsh for merely sharing an opinion. Conversely, many condemned the behavior as disrespectful, especially in light of recent events.
This controversy arises in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, co-founder of Turning Point USA, which took place at a recent event in Utah Valley University. Similar circumstances led to the expulsion of a Texas Tech University student for making inappropriate comments at a vigil for Kirk, along with facing misdemeanor assault charges.
Governor Abbott remarked that the public celebration of Kirk’s assassination in educational settings is “appalling” and indicative of broader societal issues needing attention. The Texas Education Agency is actively reviewing over 180 complaints related to educators who allegedly made inappropriate comments about Kirk’s death on social media, escalating scrutiny of speech in Texas colleges.
This incident has contributed to discussions on civil discourse and freedom of speech within higher education, prompting state officials to form new committees addressing these issues. Additionally, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has filed a lawsuit against the University of Texas System over a new law limiting students’ expressive activities on campus during specific hours.
Texas State University has a history of taking action against faculty members for comments deemed inappropriate regarding political matters, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a respectful environment on campus. The recent expulsion and the broader discussions surrounding free speech highlight ongoing tensions in balancing student expression with the values upheld by educational institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What incident led to the expulsion of a Texas State University student?
A viral video showed the student mocking the death of Charlie Kirk during a vigil held on campus.
What actions did Texas Governor Greg Abbott take regarding the incident?
Governor Abbott called for the immediate expulsion of the student, stating that such conduct is not accepted in schools.
What was the reaction from Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse?
President Damphousse announced that the student in the video is no longer enrolled, emphasizing intolerance for behavior that mocks or promotes violence.
How has the incident affected broader discussions on free speech on college campuses?
The incident has sparked a debate among students, with some supporting the expelled student’s right to express their opinions and others condemning the behavior as disrespectful.
What additional actions have been taken in response to this and similar incidents?
The Texas Education Agency is reviewing over 180 complaints regarding educators who allegedly made inappropriate comments about Kirk’s death on social media.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Mocking of Charlie Kirk’s death at a university vigil |
| Location | Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas |
| Governor’s Reaction | Called for immediate expulsion of the student |
| University Response | Student expelled; president emphasized university values |
| Free Speech Debate | Split opinions among students regarding the student’s expression |
| Related Incidents | Similar actions at Texas Tech University regarding inappropriate comments |
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Higher Ed Dive
- Fox 7 Austin
- Statesman
- MSN News
- Wikipedia: Freedom of Speech in the United States
- Google Search: Texas State University
- Google Scholar: Free Speech on College Campuses
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Free Speech
- Google News: Charlie Kirk
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