Full Breakdown
Violent Altercation During Anti-ICE Protest in Buda, Texas
2/8/2026, 12:40:08 PM
Incident Overview
On February 5, 2026, a violent altercation occurred during a student-led anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest at Moe and Gene Johnson High School in Buda, Texas. The protest involved students walking out of school to express their opposition to ICE operations. The confrontation escalated when Chad Michael Watts, a 45-year-old man, engaged in a verbal dispute with students, leading to physical violence.
Sequence of Events
The protest began shortly before 1:30 p.m. as students marched towards FM 1626 and RM 967. During the demonstration, Watts, who was driving a truck, became involved in an argument with a group of students. According to court documents, the situation intensified when a female student kicked Watts' vehicle, prompting him to exit his truck and approach her. Witnesses reported that Watts struck the student in the throat, leading to a physical struggle that involved multiple students attempting to intervene.
Arrest and Charges
Watts was arrested shortly after the incident and faces two misdemeanor charges of assault causing bodily injury. The Buda police are continuing their investigation and have requested witnesses to provide unedited video footage of the altercation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired.
Community Reactions
Local leaders and community members have expressed outrage over the incident. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra condemned Watts' actions, emphasizing the imbalance of power in a confrontation between an adult and a minor. Texas Representative Erin Zwiener highlighted the emotional toll on students who have experienced family separations due to immigration policies, stating, "Of course they are engaged" in protests.
In response to the incident, Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized the student walkouts, suggesting that they lead to chaos and should be addressed by school authorities. Zwiener countered this perspective, urging for a more supportive approach to student activism.
Official Statements
The Hays County District Attorney’s Office is currently investigating the incident. Judge Becerra remarked, “No matter one’s political views, an adult bears a clear responsibility to exercise restraint—especially in the presence of children.” The mayor of Buda also noted the incident's significant impact on the community, reinforcing that disagreements do not justify violence.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the core details of the incident are consistent across reports, there are discrepancies regarding the exact sequence of events leading to the physical confrontation. Some accounts emphasize the initial provocation by the student, while others focus on Watts' aggressive response. Additionally, Watts has not publicly commented on the incident, and there is no record of him having legal representation at this time.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A full-grown adult on a young high school girl is a lot of power to overthrow, and so it took enough people around finally to get him off of her,” — Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra
- “He writes, “Disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos.” — Texas Governor Greg Abbott
The incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of adults in confrontations with minors and the broader implications of student activism in the context of immigration policy.
