TXST President Damphousse releases statement in response to ongoing protests on campus

By Emma Peters

Executive Director of News and Culture

President Kelly Damphousse released a statement Tuesday regarding a video recorded Monday of a student imitating political activist Charlie Kirk’s death.

“I am aware of the disturbing video that was taken at an event on our San Marcos campus on Monday. I have directed university officials to take immediate steps to identify the individual in the video. Behavior that trivializes or promotes violence is reprehensible and violates the values of TXST. It will not be tolerated. If this individual is found to be affiliated with TXST, appropriate action will be taken. Let me be clear: expressions that glorify violence or murder have no place in our campus,” said Damphousse.

Kirk was shot and killed at a university rally in Utah on Sept. 10. The outdoor event was the first stop of the season for his American Comeback Tour, a speaking and debate series planned by Turning Point USA, a conservative organization he co-founded.

The video was recorded at a Charlie Kirk memorial event hosted on campus by a local TPUSA chapter. The student was seen mocking and imitating Kirk’s death.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reposted the video on X. 

“Hey Texas State. This conduct is not accepted at our schools. Expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination must have consequences,” said Abbott. 

In addition to memorials for Kirk, protests have taken place on campus in support of free speech and the First Amendment following TXST’s termination of Associate History Professor Thomas Alter on Sept. 10. The firing came after videos of Alter speaking at an online socialism convention were published.

The conference, the Revolutionary Socialism Conference, was held on Sept. 6 and 7. Alter led the “Building Revolutionary Organization Today” panel.

According to a statement released by Damphousse on Sept. 10, Alter was terminated for “conduct that advocates for inciting violence.” Damphousse said Alter’s comments in the videos were “serious professional and personal misconduct.”

For more information, visit txstate.edu.

This is a developing story. KTSW News will update as information becomes available.