An Ohio State University professor has been placed on administrative leave after a video captured him physically confronting and tackling a cameraman on campus. The incident occurred on February 9, following a class where former university president E. Gordon Gee was a guest speaker.
The professor, Luke M. Perez, an assistant professor affiliated with the university's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, was suspended the following day. University officials have confirmed that a full investigation by the Ohio State University Police Department is underway.
Key Takeaways
- An Ohio State professor, Luke M. Perez, was suspended after a physical altercation with a cameraman.
- Video evidence shows the professor tackling the man who was attempting to question former OSU president E. Gordon Gee.
- The incident has raised questions about the mission of the Chase Center, where Perez works, which promotes civil discourse.
- A police report has been filed, and a university police investigation is ongoing.
Details of the On-Campus Altercation
The confrontation took place in a hallway immediately after Perez's "Profiles in American Leadership" class. E. Gordon Gee, who served as a guest lecturer, had just concluded an interview with D.J. Byrnes, an independent journalist. During that interview, Gee faced questions regarding his connection to the Dr. Richard Strauss sexual abuse case and the university's decision to privatize campus parking.
Following Byrnes' interview, an accompanying cameraman attempted to pose his own question to Gee. It was at this moment that Professor Perez intervened. Video footage of the event shows Perez stepping between Gee and the cameraman to block access.
Escalation Caught on Camera
The video shows the cameraman taking a step back without making physical contact with the professor. Within seconds, Perez is seen smacking a cellphone from the cameraman's hand before swinging at his head and tackling him to the floor.
After the physical takedown, Perez stood over the cameraman and stated, "I told you not to put that in my face." As the man got up, Perez accused him of putting his hands on him, a claim not supported by the video recording of the incident.
Background on the Chase Center
The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, where Professor Perez is an affiliate, was established in 2023 by the Ohio General Assembly. Mandated by Senate Bill 117, it is one of five such centers at state universities created to foster "intellectual diversity." Its stated mission includes promoting the values of free speech and civil discourse through university-wide programming and courses.
University and Community React to Incident
The university acted swiftly, placing Perez on administrative leave on February 10. In a statement, an OSU spokesperson confirmed the suspension was "pending a full OSUPD investigation and thorough review of the facts." Both Byrnes and the cameraman have filed a police report with the campus police department.
Byrnes, who authors the newsletter "The Rooster," described the event as "brutal and disgusting to witness." He clarified that the cameraman was not his employee but that they were "two independent creators working in concert."
"Lucas Perez is a disgrace to my alma mater," Byrnes stated in an email to reporters.
Questions of Irony and Free Speech
The incident has drawn sharp criticism, with many pointing out the apparent contradiction between Perez's actions and the mission of the Chase Center. The Ohio State chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-OSU) issued a statement suggesting the assault undermines the center's purpose.
AAUP-OSU Statement: "This assault — and the embarrassing actions around it — make it clear these centers aren’t really about encouraging civil discourse and intellectual diversity. AAUP-OSU is in favor of free speech for everyone on campus, not just for the ideas that politicians want to promote."
The sentiment was echoed by state politicians. Ohio State Senator Bill DeMora, a Democrat from Columbus, condemned the professor's behavior.
"What is ironic is that The Chase Center, of which the assaulting faculty member works for, claims to be a 'Center for Civics, Culture, and Society that cultivates a free society through open inquiry and excellent scholarship,' Their words, not mine," DeMora said. He also called the attack "a truly cowardly act."
Investigation and Potential Consequences
The Ohio State University Police Department is now leading a full investigation into the matter. The outcome of this inquiry will likely determine the future of Professor Perez's employment at the university and whether any criminal charges will be filed.
The video evidence will be a central component of the investigation. It provides a clear, second-by-second account of the physical exchange, from the initial block to the final tackle. This visual record will be crucial for both the university's internal review and any potential legal proceedings.
For now, the campus community is left to grapple with an event that has put a spotlight on the principles of free speech, press access, and civil discourse—the very topics the involved professor's academic center was created to explore.
