This article has been updated since publication.
A recording shows a University of North Texas student speaking out against those celebrating the shooting of Charlie Kirk. The student’s story has caught widespread attention, including from a state lawmaker who has contacted the university president about the incident.
State Rep. Andy Hopper (R–Decatur) shared a September 10 recording from Mary Catherine, a University of North Texas student. It was one of two she published.
The first recording is of another student showing five classmates a video of the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The second is Mary Catherine’s follow-up detailing the events surrounding the recording. She said it took place in her Quantitative Methods class around 3:20 p.m.
“Why are we cheering for someone getting shot?” Mary Catherine asked during class. “He has a family.”
In her follow-up, Mary Catherine claimed that others in the class were celebrating Kirk’s shooting and wanted President Donald Trump to be next. She said “the whole class” opposed her stance against the celebration.
Mary Catherine then said the other student in question asked her about “the white guy” who had “shot up the Catholic school.” Mary Catherine replied that the individual was “transgender.” In the first recording, a student is heard telling Mary Catherine, “You just pointed out the fact that they were transgender. What about straight white people?”
Mary Catherine alleged the class professor then walked up to her, said “You all should probably take this outside,” and laughed.
Her first video received widespread attention, and was shared on X. Hopper noticed.
“Videos like this depicting gleeful students celebrating the gruesome, cold-blooded murder of a fellow American, a peaceful activist, a dad, and a husband reflects a devaluation of life that is unacceptable,” Hopper told Texas Scorecard. “At the same time, it is the duty of our publicly funded institutions to hold the line in defense of student codes of conduct which should expect and require civilized behavior from students, most of whom are attending universities at least partially on the public dime.”
Regarding the allegation that the professor ejected Mary Catherine from class, Hopper said “the facts are as yet not fully clear on what transpired after the video.” If she was ejected, Hopper argues the professor “should expect to no longer be employed by an institution funded with our tax dollars.”
Hopper wrote he had been in contact with UNT President Harrison Keller about the issue.
Another related incident has been alleged at UNT.
On Facebook, Amanda Brock alleged that her daughter, also a UNT student, heard the teaching assistants in her class laughing about Kirk’s assassination and saying that they hadn’t been so happy since the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.
Kirk tragically died on the afternoon of September 10.
In a statement, the University of North Texas told Texas Scorecard that its community “was shocked” by Kirk’s death, and that after his visit to the campus last year, the institution reaffirmed its commitment to the “free and civil exchange of ideas.”
“The recent actions of a few of our community members regarding Mr. Kirk’s death do not represent the values of our community,” the statement read in part. “Students who violate the law or UNT Code of Student Conduct will be held accountable.”
UNT urged anyone feeling threatened to contact campus police at 911 or 940-565-3000.
On September 12, in response to Texas Scorecard’s question regarding the allegation against teaching assistants, the university confirmed it is “is reviewing the actions reported on campus for potential Code of Student Conduct violations, as well as any other potential violations of UNT System and university policies.”
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents is appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott and confirmed by the Texas Senate.
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