A college student in Colorado was taken into custody by authorities earlier this month for reportedly hitting an older man during a meeting aimed at approving the Turning Point U.S.A. chapter at Fort Lewis College.
A campus police report indicates that Megan Elizabeth Hope Mollett was recorded on video as she struck local resident Dave Peters, who was celebrating the chapter’s recognition on November 7. The incident unfolded after the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College (ASFLC) held an emergency meeting that ultimately approved the TPUSA chapter’s registration, reversing a previous decision that rejected a proposal from a senior, Jonah Flynn, leading to some on-campus tension.
The police report categorized the incident as “harassment,” and Mollett was released after receiving a warning.
At the meeting, around 70 attendees were present, many expressing divergent political views. The report notes that an “elderly male” in a red jacket confronted Mollett, booing and shouting at her. As he started recording her with his phone, Mollett began to punch Peters.
Peters, 66, who has previously served as chairman of the La Plata County Republican Party, said that while he did not wish to press charges against Mollett, he did hope the university would take some form of disciplinary action.
“After the meeting ended and people began to exit, about twenty of us started clapping, which was met with booing from several students,” Peters recounted.
He further described an encounter with a man, later identified as David Kozak, a former Fort Lewis professor, who insulted him with phrases like “You’re a Nazi,” after expressing his displeasure over the TPUSA chapter’s approval.
Meanwhile, at the same time Mollett was being taken into custody, Kozak was filmed reacting angrily to the branch’s endorsement, reportedly calling supporters of TPUSA “Nazis.”
Neither Mollett nor Kozak responded to requests for comments on the situation. The officer involved noted that he advised Mollett, addressing her with “they/them” pronouns, to remain calm even if tensions were running high during the politically charged meeting.
“I told her I understood the atmosphere but that she needed to take a breath,” the officer said. He mentioned the potential for harassment and assault charges against Mollett for striking Peters.
Mollett’s actions occurred after a particularly turbulent period for the TPUSA chapter at the liberal arts college. Flynn had previously faced backlash when he attempted to initiate a TPUSA chapter, which incited a petition against its approval. Following the rejection, another petition emerged in support of TPUSA, and the chapter was eventually approved.
In reaction to the incident, a spokesperson from Fort Lewis College conveyed that all students must follow the standards set in the Student Code of Conduct. “We recognize the importance of free speech while also maintaining civility and safety,” the spokesperson added.
When asked about potential disciplinary measures for Mollett, the university declined to share specific details, citing federal privacy laws that protect student information. However, they assured that all claims of misconduct are treated seriously and followed through established procedures.
Peters expressed his support for the principles espoused by Turning Point USA, mentioning that he believes in free speech and views its representatives as advocates for civil discourse amidst differing opinions.
