Texas Authorities Identify Suspect in Turning Point USA Tent Attack

Texas law enforcement has identified a man accused of attacking students at a Turning Point USA tent on the University of Texas at Tyler campus. The incident occurred on Tuesday and involved a confrontation with the conservative youth organization.

Smith County booking records name the suspect as Ciro Tomlian. Video footage shows a man wearing a cape and a round-brimmed hat. He threw an American flag on the ground and swung a cane at a group of people. Authorities confirmed he was not a current student at the time of the incident.

Tomlian faces two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one charge of assault causing bodily injury. The charges stem from allegedly striking TPUSA students with a cane.

In the video, the encounter ends with Tomlian’s arrest by campus police. The suspect can be seen grabbing an American flag, hurling insults at the students, and raising his cane aggressively.

A woman off-camera tells him to “stay away.” In response, he swings the cane towards her. A male voice then tells Tomlian, “No one’s scared of you.” He swings the cane again, striking the speaker, before someone grabs the cane. Police soon arrive and arrest the suspect.

After being handcuffed, Tomlian tries to justify his actions, saying, “freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.” He apologizes to the officer, claiming self-defense due to feeling “backed into a corner.”

“An individual, who is not a UT Tyler student, assaulted three people,” UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley confirmed. “UT Tyler police responded immediately and arrested the individual.”

Tomlian remains in custody at the Smith County jail. University officials have banned him from the campus.

The incident is part of a larger trend of confrontations involving Turning Point USA members. Recently, a 70-year-old poet in New Hampshire was arrested for allegedly slapping a Turning Point Action volunteer outside a polling place.

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated last year at Utah Valley University during a TPUSA event. Tyler Robinson, the suspect in his assassination, has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for June 2028.