Two men were arrested after prosecutors say a lacrosse ball was thrown toward a Turning Point USA crowd on the University of New Mexico campus, nearly hitting an attendee.
Story Highlights
- Court filings allege Kevin Castro threw a lacrosse ball toward the audience, prompting assault and conspiracy charges.
- Prosecutors say Harrison Magnus discussed plans with Castro to throw objects at the event, and video shows Magnus in custody.
- University officials backed free speech but said unlawful conduct will not be tolerated on campus.
- Reports differ on which police agency made the arrests, but both men face multiple charges tied to public safety.
Alleged Object Toss Triggers Assault and Conspiracy Counts
Reporters in New Mexico say court documents allege that Kevin Castro threw a lacrosse ball toward a Turning Point USA audience at the University of New Mexico. The ball nearly struck an attendee, according to those filings. Prosecutors charged Castro with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy. The Washington Times and KRQE described the same act and the same charges. The reports did not include a defense statement from Castro or his counsel at the time of publication.
Coverage also says Harrison Magnus communicated with Castro about plans to throw objects into the crowd. Prosecutors charged Magnus with conspiracy, disorderly conduct, and concealing identity. The Washington Times reported that Turning Point USA posted video showing Magnus yelling toward the crowd while officers handcuffed him. Those descriptions place the alleged conduct inside the event footprint and tie it to planned disruption rather than a spontaneous outburst, according to the reporting.
Campus Safety Response and Free Speech Principles
A University of New Mexico spokesman told outlets the school supports free expression but will not tolerate violence or unlawful behavior on campus. That stance mirrors a broader national push to draw a bright line between protected speech and acts that threaten or endanger people. Administrators, police, and event hosts have urged firm enforcement of rules so speakers and students can gather without fear of physical harm, while also respecting peaceful, lawful protest at public universities.
Recent years brought more arrests at campus demonstrations nationwide, as schools and police sought to balance the First Amendment with public order. News reports counted thousands of arrests during peak protest periods in 2024. That national backdrop helps explain why officials at the University of New Mexico acted quickly once objects were allegedly thrown or planned to be thrown. The goal was to stop potential injury and keep the event from collapsing under threats or chaos.
Law Enforcement Details and Evidence Limits Reported So Far
Outlets differed on which agency made the arrests. The Washington Times and a Fox-linked item described University of New Mexico Police Department involvement, while KRQE reported the arrests as made by the Albuquerque Police Department. Those accounts can both be resolved through booking and arrest records, but the available reports did not publish those documents. Regardless, both men face charges connected to alleged endangerment and disorder at the event.
The reports referenced court documents but did not publish case numbers or affidavits. The stories also did not report any injuries from the thrown ball, only a near miss. Prosecutors labeled the lacrosse ball a deadly weapon for the aggravated-assault charge, but the outlets did not outline the legal theory, distance, speed, or impact zone of the throw. Defense responses were not included in the accounts cited by the outlets.
Why This Matters to Campus Speakers and Parents
Turning Point USA chapters host events so students can debate ideas and hear from right-leaning speakers. Families want their kids to attend such events without fear of attack or intimidation. When someone throws an object toward a crowd, that crosses a clear safety line. Police exist to stop that. Universities exist to protect the forum. You can chant, hold signs, and argue all day. You cannot hurl objects at people and call it speech. That is common sense backed by law.
The message to every campus is simple. Keep speech free and keep people safe. Enforce time, place, and manner rules fairly. When a plan to endanger a crowd is found, act fast and charge it. That is how you defend the First Amendment and protect students at the same time. This case, as reported, shows that line in action: protest is allowed, violence is not. The courts will decide guilt, but the priority must remain safety and order.
Sources:
washingtontimes.com, wfmd.com, newsradiokkob.com, hoodline.com
