Woman apologizes after racist gestures caught on camera outside Ole Miss students’ apartment

OXFORD, Miss. (WMC) - A woman who apologized after she was seen making racist gestures in a viral doorbell camera video outside an apartment where three Black Ole Miss students live has now been identified as Alaina Kunes.

Kunes said in a statement sent to Action News 5 that her actions were “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.” She said she had apologized to the women who live at the apartment and plans to cooperate with the university’s investigation.

The University of Mississippi confirmed to Action News 5 on Tuesday that Kunes is “no longer a student.” It is unclear whether she withdrew or was removed from the university.

Kunes is the first of three white women seen walking past the apartment’s front door in the Ring doorbell camera video. Two appear to mimic monkey behavior and noises as they pass. The second woman seen making the gestures has not been identified or come forward.

In her statement, Kunes said she had not met the apartment’s residents and did not know their race before the Nov. 6 incident.

“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” she said. “I have apologized to the women and I pray they will forgive me.”

“I can never truly understand the pain I have caused them and it was never my intention,” she continued. “These girls deserve to feel seen and understood and what I did is not a reflection of who I am trying to become.”

Kunes also said she and her family have received death threats and experienced harassment. She thanked authorities for working to ensure their safety and asked for privacy for her family.

“As I intend to cooperate fully with the University’s investigation, I ask for privacy for my family,” she said. “I understand the seriousness of this situation and remain committed to taking responsibility and learning from this embarrassing ordeal.”

The video belongs to the daughter of Tasha Bolton, who contacted Action News 5 about the incident. Bolton’s daughter is a Black freshman at Ole Miss and shares the off-campus apartment with two other Black roommates. The university said it leases student housing at the apartment complex.

In a statement released Sunday, Ole Miss condemned the behavior and said it had reached out to those targeted to offer information, resources and support. The university said the incident is under investigation and noted that student conduct records and any potential disciplinary action are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Bolton previously told Action News 5 that the family has an attorney and plans to make a statement. She said she did not want to speak with the station until she had an opportunity to speak with the university.

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