Video from a Turning Point USA event at the University of Texas at Tyler shows a man tearing down a U.S. flag and striking at least one person with a cane before campus police move in to arrest him. The footage was posted by TPUSA’s journalism arm, TPUSA Frontlines, and highlighted by the New York Post.
What the video shows
In the clip shared by TPUSA Frontlines, a long-haired man rips a flag from a TPUSA stand as students object. According to the video, he says, “You don’t deserve this!” and then shouts, “Back the f**k off, you fascist pieces of sh*t!” The footage shows him brandishing a cane and striking a male. A student can be heard saying, “That’s assault!” As officers detain him, the man says, “Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences,” per the video circulated by TPUSA Frontlines.
University statement: three people attacked
UT Tyler President Julie Philley said in a statement that three people were attacked at the TPUSA event. “Everyone has the right to free speech, and violence will not be tolerated at this university,” Philley said, according to The Gateway Pundit’s report.
Identity and charges reported
TPUSA said the man was identified as Ciro Stephen Tomlian and that one TPUSA field representative and two students were assaulted. The Gateway Pundit reported that jail records show Tomlian was booked into the Smith County Jail on November 10 on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of assault causing bodily injury.
Claimed apology reported elsewhere
Mediaite reported that the man issued an apology but claimed he was “backed into a corner.”
Note: All allegations above are attributed as indicated; charges are not convictions.
