(José Niño, Headline USA) Authorities arrested former University of Texas at Tyler student Ciro Stephen Tomlian, 19, following an alleged assault at a Turning Point USA gathering Tuesday, according to The College Fix. He faces two aggravated assault counts and one count of assault causing bodily injury. A jail spokesperson said he posted bond Wednesday night.
Video reportedly shows Tomlian wearing a cape and wizard style hat, damaging a display, pulling down an American flag and swinging a cane toward attendees. The College Fix reported that he called participants “fascist pieces of sh*t,” before others restrained him and police intervened.
University spokesperson Beverley Golden directed the outlet to President Julie Philley’s statement.
CAUGHT ON VIDEO: A man allegedly attacks Turning Point USA students with a cane at the University of Texas Tyler, striking multiple people before campus police tackle and cuff him on the spot.
Ciro Stephen Tomlian, a former UT Tyler student who was not enrolled at the time, now… pic.twitter.com/mm4tz5iWYa
— Fox News US (@FoxUSNews) November 11, 2026
“Earlier today, an incident occurred on the UT Tyler main campus during a Turning Point USA student event. An individual, who is not a UT Tyler student, assaulted three people. UT Tyler police responded immediately and arrested the individual, who is in custody and has been criminally trespassed from the university.
“Everyone has the right to free speech, and violence will not be tolerated at this university.”
The College Fix also cited a circulating screenshot of an email attributed to Philley. Golden did not confirm it in response to a follow up inquiry.
“The individual involved had withdrawn from the university and should not have been in classes this month. We are investigating the specifics. As of today, he has no legal right to be on university property. Should he come onto campus without authorization, he would be subject to removal and any appropriate legal action.
“Please know that we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment and will continue to work closely with our campus police and law enforcement partners as appropriate.”
Fox News reported that Tomlian told officers “freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences” after they handcuffed him, then apologized. The confrontation occurred during the chapter’s “Pick Up the Mic” event. The district attorney’s office did not respond to The College Fix’s request about prospective formal charges. The allegations remain unproven in court.
José Niño is the deputy editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/JoseAlNino
