Student withdraws after video shows racist gestures outside Black roommates' home

Three Black female students at the University of Mississippi are sharing an off-campus apartment that has become the focus of a university investigation following a viral video. The incident prompted one of the women involved to withdraw from her studies and issue a public apology for her behavior.

Footage from a Ring doorbell installed at the residence shows Alaina Kunes, 18, and two other women passing the entrance on Friday. In the clip, Kunes beats her chest while she and another woman make ape noises. The second woman, who remains unnamed, has not commented on the event. A third woman walked past the door without stopping. The video gained national attention before the university acted.

Kunes stated in an apology released Tuesday that she had not known the residents' race before the footage spread. She described her conduct as inappropriate, insensitive, and harmful. She told the residents directly that she hoped they would forgive her, while acknowledging she could not fully grasp the pain she caused. Kunes also said she would cooperate fully with the university's inquiry.

Shawnboda Mead, the vice chancellor for student affairs, emailed the campus on Sunday to announce the investigation. Mead described the recording as showing students directing racist gestures at their peers. A source close to Kunes told NBC News that she has since withdrawn from the university. The enrollment status of the other two women is currently unknown, and the university did not respond to a comment request on Tuesday.

Tasha Bolton, the mother of one of the freshman residents, addressed the incident in a Facebook post on Saturday. She identified the women in the video as neighbors living upstairs from her daughter. Bolton argued that college should provide a safe environment for young adults to learn and grow. She called for clarity on how the university would handle the situation and what steps it would take to ensure accountability.

Kunes stated that she would never deliberately direct such gestures at a person of color. She expressed commitment to accepting responsibility and learning from the event. She also requested privacy for her family, citing harassment and death threats received over the previous several days.

Candi Richardson, the director of communications and community engagement for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, confirmed on Monday that the organization is examining complaints related to the incident.