A 19-year-old former University of Texas at Tyler student was arrested on campus Tuesday after allegedly tearing down an American flag at a Turning Point USA booth and striking multiple people with a cane during a student event.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 10, at the University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler, Texas, during a “Pick Up the Mic” gathering organized by the local Turning Point USA chapter. The event featured open discussion in a format similar to “Prove Me Wrong” sessions and included participation by Preston Parsons of the Texas Tech University chapter.
University officials confirmed that at least three people — a Turning Point USA field representative and two students — were assaulted during the incident. Footage of the incident was captured by field representatives Alanna Kitchens and Lisette Ferguson, according to Turning Point USA Frontlines.
Video shows a man wearing a black hat, glasses, a short cape or cloak over a dark shirt, and a backpack approaching the group’s booth. He then ripped down an American flag, tossed it, and said, “Ya’ll don’t deserve this.”
He then raised a cane in a threatening manner and shouted, “Back the f*** off you fascist pieces of s***.”
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WATCH: Student tears down an American flag and assaults a TPUSA Field Rep plus two students with a prop cane after calling them “fascist pieces of s**t” during a Pick Up the Mic event at the University of Texas Tyler.
Campus police swiftly arrested the student and transported… pic.twitter.com/5NIkkD4N6c
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) November 10, 2026
The footage shows him swinging the cane toward attendees and appearing to strike at least one person in the legs. A bystander then intervened and subdued him. Campus police then arrived on the scene, placed the suspect in handcuffs, and took him into custody.
University Associate Vice President Beverley Golden and other officials stated that the individual is a former student who is not currently enrolled. He was issued a criminal trespass warning barring him from university property.
Booking records and university confirmation identified him as Ciro Stephen Tomlian, 19, of Jacksonville, Texas. He faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of assault causing bodily injury. Tomlian remained in custody as of Wednesday morning.
UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley issued a statement affirming that “Everyone has the right to free speech, and violence will not be tolerated at this university.”
