Ohio State Professor Faces Assault Summons After Viral Video Incident

University says no charges filed yet against professor who tackled filmmaker during confrontation with former president

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ohio State University has confirmed that assistant professor Luke Perez received an assault summons after a video showed him tackling Columbus filmmaker Mike Newman as Newman tried to ask former university president E. Gordon Gee a question. The university says Perez has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, but court records do not indicate any criminal charges against him at this time.

Why it matters

The incident, which was captured on video and went viral on social media, has raised concerns about academic freedom, the appropriate use of force by university employees, and the boundaries between public figures and private citizens in confrontational situations on campus.

The details

According to the university, Perez, who recently joined Ohio State's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, was served with an assault summons after the Feb. 9 incident. However, court records do not show any criminal charges filed against him yet. The university says neither Newman, the filmmaker who was tackled, nor D.J. Byrnes, the political blogger who posted the video, are under investigation.

  • The incident occurred on February 9, 2026.
  • Perez was placed on administrative leave by Ohio State on February 10, 2026.
  • Ohio State confirmed the assault summons against Perez on February 14, 2026.

The players

Luke Perez

An assistant professor who recently joined Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society.

Mike Newman

A Columbus filmmaker who was tackled by Perez while trying to ask a question of former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee.

E. Gordon Gee

The former president of Ohio State University.

D.J. Byrnes

A political blogger known as "The Rooster" who posted the viral video of the incident.

Ben Johnson

A spokesperson for Ohio State University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Perez has been served a summons for assault,”

— Ben Johnson, Ohio State University spokesperson (The Dispatch)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow Perez to remain on administrative leave or to reinstate him pending the outcome of the investigation.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance between academic freedom, public access, and the use of force on university campuses, raising questions about how institutions should handle confrontational situations involving faculty, students, and members of the public.