Man Charged After Police Say He Attacked Students During School ICE Protest

February 6, 2026

A 45-year-old Texas man was arrested and charged with assault after physically attacking students during a peaceful immigration-related demonstration outside a Buda high school. The suspect, identified as a Trump supporter, allegedly initiated a verbal confrontation with a female student on a public sidewalk before the dispute turned physical, with video showing him pulling hair and wrestling a student to the ground. Police determined the man was the primary aggressor in the incident, which prompted intervention from multiple students who attempted to restrain him.

Who is affected

Students at Moe and Gene Johnson High School in Buda, Texas, particularly those participating in the walkout
A female student who was initially involved in the verbal dispute
Students who physically intervened and were assaulted during the altercation
Chad Michael Watts, the 45-year-old suspect facing criminal charges
The broader Buda and Hays County communities

What action is being taken

Police have arrested Chad Michael Watts and charged him with two counts of assault causing bodily injury
Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident
The Hays County District Attorney's Office has been notified and is reviewing the case
Police are considering additional charges as the investigation continues

Why it matters

This incident highlights tensions surrounding immigration policy and the vulnerability of minors exercising their First Amendment rights to peaceful protest. The case tests community standards for protecting youth participating in lawful demonstrations and establishes legal boundaries for adult interference in student activism. The incident also raises concerns about political polarization leading to violence against minors in educational settings, prompting local officials to publicly affirm their commitment to protecting constitutional rights regardless of the demonstrators' age or the controversial nature of their cause.

What's next

Additional charges may be filed against Watts as the investigation continues
The Hays County District Attorney's Office will proceed with prosecuting the case

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle