A 45-year-old man was arrested in Central Texas after video evidence showed him physically assaulting student protesters during a walkout opposing immigration enforcement.
Chad Michael Watts, a resident of Kyle, Texas, was taken into custody on 3 February 2026 and charged with two counts of assault causing bodily injury following a confrontation with minors during a student-led protest near Buda schools. The arrest followed an investigation by the Buda Police Department, which identified Watts as the adult aggressor after reviewing video footage and witness statements.
The incident occurred during a broader wave of student walkouts across Texas opposing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, placing the altercation at the intersection of youth protest, political polarisation and criminal liability.