MU student under investigation after TPUSA ‘Pick up the Mic’ session

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri said Thursday that it is investigating a student for comments made during a Turning Point USA "Pick up the Mic" session on Speakers Circle.

During the session hosted by Shane Winnings, a student came to the mic to discuss the First and Second Amendments.

"It is worth it to have a couple gun deaths every couple years to keep our Second Amendment right," said the student.

Winnings responded with "I agree."

The conversation then moved to talk about Charlie Kirk when the student said that Charlie Kirk would have agreed and "died by his word."

Winnings then said that Kirk died with the same mindset, calling it a conviction, and recommended the student "finds out what that means one day."

Winnings asked if the student was "for people being killed for freedom of speech."

The student responded with "yeah, absolutely."

In a social media post, the university commented that it will investigate the student and will "hold the individual to account."

"We denounce any form of violence, and it is totally unacceptable to wish harm upon a person for exercising their First Amendment rights. This is a very serious matter for which we've launched a full investigation. We will hold the individual to account," the university stated in a social media post.

State Sen. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) critized the student's statements in an X post.

"This is deeply sick behavior (and so were the words). If you see someone acting like this at Mizzou (or anywhere) you should absolutely call them out for it," Webber wrote.

ABC 17 News is working to confirm the student's identity.

Check back for updates to this developing story.