Shocking Clash at Texas Anti-ICE Protest: Man Faces Assault Charges After Student Altercation

AUSTIN — In a recent incident in Buda, Texas, a man has been charged following an altercation with students at a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstration was organized by students from Johnson High School.

According to a statement from the Buda Police Department, 45-year-old Chad Michael Watts was taken into custody on Tuesday. He faces two charges of assault causing bodily injury. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if further charges will be warranted.

Nexstar’s KXAN obtained footage capturing the incident, which reportedly took place during the student-led demonstration against recent immigration enforcement activities.

The video reveals a man stepping out of a truck and allegedly pushing through the crowd of students, eventually confronting a teenage girl. A physical exchange ensues, culminating with the girl being knocked to the ground. KXAN is in the process of verifying the authenticity of this video.

Both Watts and the teenage girl involved reported minor injuries to the police on Monday but declined medical evaluation, according to the police report.

“After further thorough investigation, it was determined that Watts was the primary aggressor in the physical altercation,” Buda Police said. “Probable cause was established for two offenses of Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a Class A misdemeanor.”

Buda police say they are looking to speak to anyone who was present during the altercation to better determine what happened.

“We’re trying to get to the original videos and have those submitted by those people that took the videos so we can have a solid case and have that chain of custody for our evidence,” Matt Schima, public information officer with the Buda Police Department, said.

“We see that all the time in law enforcement — that videos start at the 10-second mark. What happened in the first 10 seconds? That’s very important as to what happened for the rest of the video,” Schima said. “So I think a lot of the public is really taking the last part of the situation and they’re making their judgments. So what we have to do to have a solid investigation is what initiated all of this.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hays County Dispatch at 512-393-7896 or submit an anonymous tip at 1-800-324-8477 or online.

Witnesses speak out

Jaden Fox and his wife were driving by the protest at the same time Watts pulled up, they told KXAN. Fox said they watched Watts begin “screaming at these kids” and could “tell that something was getting heightened.”

Fox and his wife pulled over and can be seen in various videos working to separate Watts and the teenagers, then working to de-escalate the situation in the aftermath.

“In my mind, he is still very dangerous. I don’t know if he has a weapon on him, or in his car or what. And I don’t want these kids to get in trouble for doing something potentially more serious than anyone is meaning to,” Fox recounted.

Fox said they couldn’t see the students in the lead up to what caused this altercation.

“People are in comments sections like ‘what was said to him,’ ‘were they kicking his car,’ people were throwing things at his car — again we were on the wrong side to be able to see if any of that actually happened — but none of that excuses parking your car in the middle of an intersection to get out and fight teenagers,” Fox said.

Timeline of the incident

Just after 3 p.m. Monday, Buda Police responded to the intersection of RM 967 and FM 1626, which is only minutes away from Johnson High School. Police said a young woman on the sidewalk and an adult man in a car were arguing. The man is not an employee or teacher in the school district, officials confirmed.

“What we’re told right now is a verbal altercation between both parties at the same time, at the stoplight,” Schima said. “And then the altercation continued, he exited his vehicle, and that’s when it became physical.”

Schima says they knew about the student protest and had officers there to keep the peace, but an hour and a half after students left class, the officers at the intersection left to respond to a 911 hang-up call at a nearby Sonic.

Responding within minutes of more 911 calls of a fight in progress, Schima said when officers came back, the suspect had already left in his truck.

Schima says the department will have a larger police presence at any future student protests.

Leaders respond

In response to the situation, Judge Becerra said in a press release that an adult should have “clear responsibility to exercise restraint, especially in the presence of children.” He added that “violence or intimidation directed at a minor … has no place in a constitutional republic that depends on the rule of law rather than force.”

Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky acknowledged the incident in a Facebook post, saying Buda Police had made contact with the man involved in the fight and received a statement from him. The message stated police are also working with the Hays Consolidated Independent School District to collect witness statements and video evidence from students at the scene.

“This is an emotionally-charged and sensitive issue involving minors that has deeply impacted and rightfully concerned our community,” Urbanovsky said. “I am urging the community to exercise patience and allow the Buda Police Department to complete their investigation.”

A Hays CISD spokesperson told KXAN that at least 500 students attended the walkout Monday. The spokesperson said the district did not organize, assist, nor condone the activity.

In a letter sent to parents Tuesday afternoon, Superintendent Eric Wright said campuses must return their focus to learning, instructing and the business of being at school.

“Remaining in class is the best place for students to become educated so that they may affect the policy changes that they believe are in the best interest of society,” Wright said.

Moving forward, Wright said “future walkouts cannot happen,” and that walkouts are “a strain on the resources of the school district and community law enforcement agencies.”

State Rep. Erin Zwiener, a Democrat who represents the area, said students have a constitutionally-protected right to free speech and peaceful protest, after both Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton launched investigations into separate student walkouts in Austin ISD.

“Teachers are not allowed to lock students in the school and cannot target them for discipline based on their political speech,” Zwiener said in a statement Tuesday. “Gov. Abbott’s threats to schools are only making protests less safe for students and more disruptive for Texas communities.”

Teacher placed on administrative leave

A Hays CISD teacher was placed on administrative leave and will not return to campus after a photo of him displaying a protest sign with profanity while on a campus was discovered. The district did not name the teacher or where they taught.

“The school district belongs to everyone and we do not, as an entity or as employees, use taxpayer time and resources to engage in political activity,” the letter said.