“I Never Meant to Hurt Anyone”: Ole Miss Student, 18, Breaks Silence After Racist Ring Camera Video Goes Viral — Then Leaves University as Outrage Grows

What began as a 13-second encounter outside a Mississippi apartment has changed the life of an 18-year-old college freshman and left three Black students questioning their safety. Alaina Kunes was caught on a Ring camera making monkey-like noises and gestures outside the apartment shared by the women. The recording spread across social media, attracting nearly 13 million views and demands for disciplinary action. Days later, Kunes publicly identified herself, apologized and insisted she never intended to target anyone because of their race. But the controversy did not end there. The University of Mississippi has now confirmed that she is no longer enrolled, while the students affected continue demanding accountability.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI — November 11, 2026 — A University of Mississippi freshman who appeared in a viral video showing racially offensive gestures outside the apartment of three Black students has apologized and withdrawn from the university.

Alaina Kunes, 18, publicly acknowledged her involvement in the November 6 incident through a statement released by her legal representative on Tuesday, November 10.

The video, captured by a Ring doorbell camera, shows three white women walking past the apartment.

Two appear to imitate monkeys by making animal-like sounds and beating their chests.

The recording was shared on TikTok by Ole Miss student Jakiyra Metcalf and quickly attracted millions of views.

Kunes acknowledged that her behavior was inappropriate and harmful but insisted she had not known the racial identities of the women living in the apartment.

She also said she had apologized to the residents and intended to cooperate with the university’s investigation.

By Tuesday afternoon, the University of Mississippi confirmed that Kunes was no longer a student.

Her representatives subsequently said she had voluntarily withdrawn.

The Video That Sparked National Outrage

The incident happened Friday evening, November 6, outside an off-campus apartment complex in Oxford, Mississippi.

The apartment was shared by three Black female students attending Ole Miss.

A Ring doorbell camera recorded three white women walking along the exterior corridor.

One woman approached the camera, beat her chest and made monkey-like noises.

Another followed with similar gestures and sounds.

The third woman walked past without appearing to participate in the same behavior.

The entire recording lasted approximately 13 seconds.

Metcalf later posted the footage on TikTok and tagged the university.

She asked what school officials intended to do about the incident.

The video quickly spread beyond the campus.

By November 10, it had accumulated more than 12.6 million views, approximately one million likes and tens of thousands of comments.

Many viewers condemned the gestures as racist because of the long history of comparing Black people to monkeys as a form of dehumanization.

Others demanded that the university identify those involved and take disciplinary action.

Alaina Kunes Finally Speaks

On Tuesday, Kunes released a public statement acknowledging her conduct.

She apologized to the apartment’s residents and to the university community.

“I sincerely apologize,” she said.

Kunes acknowledged that her actions were harmful and inappropriate.

However, she denied deliberately directing racist behavior toward the residents.

According to her statement, she had never met the women before the incident.

She also claimed she was unaware of their race.

Kunes said she would never intentionally make those gestures toward a person of color.

She expressed hope that the women would forgive her.

The freshman also acknowledged that she could not fully understand the pain her actions had caused.

Her statement was intended to explain her perspective while accepting responsibility for the conduct captured on camera.

But the apology did not resolve the controversy.

The video had already become a nationwide discussion about racism, student behavior and accountability.

Was It Really Just a Joke?

Kunes’ explanation raised another question.

How should people interpret behavior that resembles a racist stereotype when the person responsible claims not to have intended racial harm?

Sources who spoke with TMZ described the incident as an attempted joke.

According to that account, the women had been making animal noises at multiple doors as they walked through the apartment complex.

Those claims have not been independently established.

Kunes’ public statement confirmed her assertion that she had not known who lived behind the door.

However, the available footage does not establish what the women knew or intended.

Nor does her explanation negate the historical meaning of the gestures.

For the three Black residents, the experience was deeply upsetting regardless of the stated intention.

The university’s investigation was expected to examine the incident through its student conduct procedures.

The Young Woman Is No Longer at Ole Miss

Within hours of her apology, another major development emerged.

The University of Mississippi confirmed to Action News 5 that Kunes was no longer enrolled.

Initially, the circumstances of her departure were unclear.

Some online commenters assumed the school had expelled her.

Others believed she had been suspended.

But subsequent reporting from TMZ and the New York Post clarified the situation.

Representatives for Kunes said she had voluntarily withdrawn from the university.

They stated that she had not been suspended or ordered to leave.

The distinction is significant.

Voluntary withdrawal is not equivalent to a disciplinary expulsion.

It also does not establish that the university found her guilty of violating a particular conduct policy.

As of November 11, Ole Miss had not publicly announced a formal disciplinary outcome.

Her Family Reports Threats and Harassment

Kunes’ apology included another troubling allegation.

She said that she and her family had received threats and harassment after the video circulated.

According to her statement, the family had been working with authorities regarding their safety.

She requested privacy while the situation continued to develop.

The claims attracted further attention because the controversy had extended beyond the people directly involved.

Social media users had begun identifying relatives and discussing the family’s business connections.

Threatening someone or their family is not a legitimate form of accountability.

People can condemn racist behavior, demand institutional action and support affected students without engaging in intimidation.

Kunes’ conduct is appropriately subject to scrutiny.

But that does not justify threats against her or people who were not involved.

Her Family’s Business Becomes Part of the Controversy

The New York Post reported that Kunes’ father, Scott Kunes, previously held a leadership position at Wisconsin-based Kunes Auto Group.

The company had faced separate allegations involving racist conduct by employees.

One earlier controversy concerned a customer’s complaint about an offensive sticker placed on a vehicle.

The business said it investigated those incidents and dismissed employees involved in misconduct.

Following the Ole Miss video, the company issued a statement distancing itself from Alaina Kunes.

It emphasized that she had no affiliation with the business.

The company also said her father had left his position in February 2026.

There is no verified evidence connecting the earlier workplace incidents to the November 6 events in Oxford.

The company’s previous controversies do not establish anything about the intentions of the women in the video.

Nevertheless, the association attracted online attention as users searched for information about Kunes’ background.

The Students Who Were Targeted Speak About Their Safety

While much of the media coverage has focused on Kunes’ identity and apology, the residents of the apartment remain central to the story.

Jakiyra Metcalf shared the recording because she wanted the university to address what happened.

Her apartment was supposed to be a private place where she could feel comfortable.

Instead, the video captured gestures widely recognized as racist outside her front door.

Metcalf said the women were neighbors who lived upstairs.

Another student connected to the apartment described feeling less safe after the incident.

For young people attending college away from home, a sense of security can be especially important.

Their apartments are where they sleep, study and spend time with friends.

The incident raised concerns because it happened in a residential environment rather than during a public argument.

The residents have not been accused of provoking the encounter.

A Mother Demands Answers From the University

Tasha Bolton, the mother of one of the apartment’s residents, contacted Action News 5 after the footage began circulating.

Her daughter is a freshman who shares the apartment with two other Black students.

Bolton expressed deep concern about the incident.

She wanted school officials to understand why the behavior had frightened and upset the women.

She also questioned whether students could feel secure in their homes.

The family subsequently retained an attorney.

Bolton said she wanted an opportunity to speak with university officials before making further public comments.

Her concerns reflected those of other parents who contacted Ole Miss administrators.

For families sending children to college, emotional and physical safety are fundamental expectations.

The controversy has prompted questions about how the institution responds when students report discriminatory behavior.

Ole Miss Condemns the Conduct

The University of Mississippi issued a statement on November 8 addressing the video.

Officials condemned the behavior as offensive, hurtful and unacceptable.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead confirmed that the incident was being investigated.

The university said staff had contacted the affected students to offer support and resources.

Administrators also emphasized their commitment to maintaining a welcoming campus.

However, the university cautioned that student conduct records are protected by federal privacy law.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act limits what institutions can publicly disclose about certain student records.

Consequently, investigators may be unable to publish every detail about potential disciplinary proceedings.

The university confirmed Kunes’ enrollment status but did not publicly establish that she had been expelled.

Black Student Leaders Call for Change

The incident prompted responses from student organizations.

Demetrick Stringer Jr., president of the university’s Black Student Union, said the video had contributed to Black students feeling unwelcome and unsafe.

He called for university officials to support those affected and strengthen education about respect and inclusion.

Student leaders also urged the university to examine how first-year students are introduced to campus values.

The concern extended beyond whether one student apologized.

It involved the broader culture of the university and how people treat one another.

Some students emphasized the need for consequences.

Others called for education that could help prevent similar behavior.

The debate reflected different approaches to accountability, but the shared concern was that students should not experience racial humiliation in their living spaces.

A Campus With a Difficult History

The University of Mississippi has a long and complicated history involving race.

In 1962, James Meredith became the first Black student to enroll after a major civil rights struggle.

His enrollment was met with violent resistance and required federal intervention.

The event became an important moment in American history.

In subsequent decades, the university has made efforts to address its past and improve inclusion.

However, racial controversies have continued.

In May 2024, a counterprotester at a campus demonstration was recorded making monkey-like gestures toward a Black graduate student.

That incident also attracted nationwide condemnation.

The resemblance between the two recordings has intensified concern about the November 2026 case.

For some students, the latest episode suggests that progress requires more than public statements.

They want sustained efforts to address prejudice and ensure accountability.

The Second Woman Has Not Been Identified

Although Kunes has publicly acknowledged her role, questions remain about the other women seen in the recording.

The video shows two participants making monkey-like noises and gestures.

The second woman has not been publicly identified through reliable reporting.

She has not issued a verified statement accepting responsibility.

The third woman appears to walk past without engaging in the same gestures.

Her identity has also not been established through official findings.

Social media speculation about the women has created a risk of misidentification.

Earlier in the controversy, an Ole Miss sorority publicly clarified that certain individuals named online were not associated with its organization.

The incident illustrates why identification should rely on verified information.

Publicly accusing unrelated people can create additional harm without helping establish accountability.

An Apology, a Departure and Unanswered Questions

By November 10, the controversy had changed significantly.

Kunes had acknowledged her involvement.

She had apologized.

She had denied intending to target Black residents.

And she had left the University of Mississippi.

But several important questions remained.

Would the university complete its investigation?

Would any other participants be identified?

Would the affected students receive the support they requested?

And what steps would the university take to address concerns raised by Black student organizations?

Kunes’ withdrawal is a significant development.

But it does not, by itself, resolve those broader issues.

The women living in the apartment must continue with their education and everyday lives.

Their experiences remain an important part of the story.

The 13 Seconds That Changed Everything

On Friday, November 6, three women walked past an apartment in Oxford.

A Ring camera recorded two of them making monkey-like gestures and noises.

The footage lasted approximately 13 seconds.

By the next day, it was spreading across social media.

By Tuesday, millions had watched it.

One of the women, Alaina Kunes, had publicly identified herself.

She apologized and acknowledged that her conduct was harmful.

Then came confirmation that she was no longer a student at Ole Miss.

What began as a few seconds of offensive behavior became a national controversy involving racial discrimination, student safety, public accountability and the consequences of viral exposure.

Kunes maintains that she did not intend to target anyone because of race.

The residents have described the experience as upsetting and threatening to their sense of safety.

The university has condemned the conduct and opened an investigation.

What Happens After “I’m Sorry”?

An apology can be an important acknowledgment that harm occurred.

But an apology does not automatically erase the impact of an experience.

For Kunes, the consequences have already included public criticism and her departure from the university.

For the three Black students, the challenge is different.

They must regain the confidence that their home and university community are places where they belong.

The next steps will depend partly on the university’s investigation and its continued support for the affected students.

Alaina Kunes says she never intended to hurt anyone. But she has acknowledged that her actions caused harm.

That distinction is at the heart of the controversy.

The public now knows who one of the women was.

It has heard her apology.

And it has learned that she withdrew from college.

But the bigger question remains:

How will the University of Mississippi ensure that the three women who found those gestures outside their door can feel safe, respected and welcome in their own community?