Texas authorities have identified the man accused of attacking students at a Turning Point USA tent on the University of Texas at Tyler campus Tuesday. Video captured the heated confrontation and the suspect’s arrest by campus police.

Smith County booking records identify the suspect as Ciro Tomlian. Authorities said Tomlian is a former UT Tyler student who was not enrolled at the university when the incident occurred.

The attack took place during a Turning Point USA student event on Nov. 10, 2026. It marked the latest reported attack involving the conservative youth organization, whose founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated last year.

Video from the confrontation shows a man wearing a cape and a round brimmed hat. He is seen grabbing an American flag, throwing it over his shoulder and making an obscene gesture toward the students.

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The man then threw the flag onto the ground and swung a cane at people gathered near the Turning Point USA tent. Authorities allege that Tomlian struck students affiliated with the organization during the encounter.

NEW: The cape-wearing man accused of striking Turning Point USA students with a cane at UT Tyler has been identified as Ciro Tomlian, a former student.

Video shows him throwing an American flag, making obscene gestures and swinging a cane at people near the conservative student group’s tent. University officials confirm three people were assaulted, and Tomlian faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His explanation to officers after the arrest was also caught on camera. Get the full story: https://t.co/TmtS4ukSwC — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 11, 2026

Tomlian faces two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He also faces one charge of assault causing bodily injury after allegedly striking Turning Point USA students with the cane.

The footage shows the final portion of the confrontation before campus police arrived. During the exchange, the suspect can be heard saying, “Back the f— off you fascist pieces of s—.”

A woman speaking from off camera tells him to “stay away.” The suspect raises the cane and takes what appears to be a checked swing in her direction as the tense exchange continues.

The man identified as Tomlian then screams “back up!” The woman tells someone else to “just back up,” while another voice from outside the camera’s view challenges the suspect.

A male voice tells Tomlian, “No one's scared of you.” Tomlian then swings the cane again, apparently striking the speaker before another person runs toward him and grabs the cane.

Campus police arrive moments later and place Tomlian in handcuffs. Once restrained, he characterizes the confrontation as self defense and says, “freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.”

As officers lead him away, Tomlian addresses one of them directly. “I apologize officer,” he says, before adding, “I was backed into a corner.”

UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley confirmed in a statement that the attack occurred during a Turning Point USA student event. Her statement also made clear that the accused attacker was not enrolled at the university.

“An individual, who is not a UT Tyler student, assaulted three people,” Philley said. “UT Tyler police responded immediately and arrested the individual.”

Tomlian remained in custody at the Smith County jail, according to booking records. He also has been trespassed from university grounds following the incident.

“Everyone has the right to free speech, and violence will not be tolerated at this university,” Philley said. Her statement followed the release of video showing both the confrontation and the rapid police response.

The Texas episode followed another confrontation involving an organization affiliated with Turning Point USA. On Election Day, New Hampshire police arrested a 70 year old poet who allegedly slapped a Turning Point Action volunteer across the face outside a polling place.

That New Hampshire incident also appeared on video. Turning Point Action is identified as an affiliated nonprofit, and the accused man was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct.

The incidents come after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University during another organization event last year. Tyler Robinson, the suspect in that case, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in June 2028.

In Tyler, the footage ends with Tomlian in police custody after the cane is taken away. He now faces three assault charges as the university reiterates that free speech does not excuse violence on its campus.

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