The University of Missouri Police Department arrested 19-year-old Khawhyn Johnson on Saturday for simple assault after an alleged attack that occurred Thursday afternoon at Speakers Circle. MU Police Department Public Information Officer Major Scott Richardson says the investigation is currently open and further details including whether Johnson is an MU student have not been released. MU Interim Chancellor Dr. Hank Foley sent an email to faculty, staff and students on Monday and said the victim was exercising the right to free speech and offended the assailant who then physically assaulted the victim.
“Opposition to speech aside – this is completely unacceptable,” Foley said in the email. “No one is to be attacked for their speech on this campus and, especially, not at Speakers Circle.”
The assault occurred three days after a viral video was captured of a confrontation at MU’s Mel Carnahan Quadrangle between photojournalist Tim Tai and a group of protestors that included MU Director of Greek Life Janna Bassler and Assistant professor Melissa Click. Protestors and faculty blocked Tai and other journalists from entering the protest site, saying they did not have the right to photograph the protestors who were protected by a space established on the quad. Tai argued his first amendment rights and Assistant Professor Click is seen at the end of the video requesting assistance from protestors to help remove the videographer of the video, Mark Schierbecker from the scene.
Bassler met with Tai Wednesday to apologize for her actions and was placed on administrative leave Wednesday. Click issued an apology Tuesday to the campus and to journalists at large. According to Officer Richardson, MU police are determining whether to file charges against Click.