Man Identifying as a Woman Says Republicans Should Be 'Shot in the Street,' Tackles Utah Student

A man who identifies as a woman told College Republicans at the University of Utah that Republicans should be shot in the street. Seconds later, on video, he tackled one of them to the ground and tore his shirt.

It happened Tuesday at the club's table outside the Marriott Library. The university's police department cited him for two Class B misdemeanors, simple assault and property damage.

Warning: the video contains profanity.

How it started

The club had set up a whiteboard that read "There are only two genders: yes or no?" with tally marks from passing students.

Around 12:30 p.m., according to The Cougar Chronicle, a student newspaper, a biological male who goes by Amber Grace walked up and wiped the board clean by hand. The club redrew it. He came back and tried to wipe it again. Chapter president Rylie Barnes stepped between him and the board.

Later, a club member tried to talk with him and started recording. In the 17-second clip, the member asks about the right to free speech. The reply: "I think Republicans should be shot in the street, personally." The member asks whether he is advocating violence because he disagrees. Then the camera lurches as the student is knocked down, shouting "Stop! Get off of me!"

Witnesses told the student paper he tried to apologize after bystanders broke it up, then left when someone called police. The club posted a photo of its member with his shirt in tatters.

What the university says

A university spokesperson confirmed the basics in a statement to the student paper: police responded at 12:52 p.m. to a fight on Marriott Plaza. "The visiting student then assaulted the tabling student, knocking them to the ground and tearing their shirt," the statement says. "Police have identified the individual involved and issued two Class B misdemeanor citations—for simple assault and property damage. Support and resources have been offered to both students. The investigation is ongoing."

That last line angered the club. "The University of Utah is providing support and resources to the Transgender man who assaulted Republicans?" Utah College Republicans chair Riley Beesley wrote on X. "2 Class B misdemeanors don't get you expelled—or even in trouble?"

What two misdemeanors mean

A Class B misdemeanor is the second-lowest tier of crime in Utah. Under state law, it carries up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Saying Republicans should be shot did not lead to a separate charge. Police have not said whether they considered one, and the investigation is still open.

Sen. Mike Lee pointed to the double standard.

The other side

Grace told KUTV the charges are bogus and that he is the victim of what he called transphobic aggression. Five groups, including the university's Queer Student Union and a group called Armed Queers Salt Lake City, posted a joint call on Instagram to drop the charges.

Why it lands hard in Utah

This is the state where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking to students at Utah Valley University in September 2025.

"Universities should be a place where differing perspectives can be discussed openly and respectfully," Barnes said in a statement to The Cougar Chronicle. "Disagreement is not an excuse to interfere with another student's expression, and it certainly does not justify physical violence. We will not allow intimidation or violence to silence our voices."

Beesley has since requested a formal meeting with university President Taylor Randall, writing that campus safety "requires prompt, thorough and immediate attention."