BUDA, Texas - There are new details about a man arrested following a viral video showing him fighting with teen girls during an ICE protest in Buda.
The backstory:
Buda police responded to a chaotic scene Monday afternoon after a fight erupted during a student walkout near Johnson High School.
The walkout was part of a series of student demonstrations across Central Texas protesting federal immigration enforcement policies.
Kyle man arrested for assault in connection with Buda student protest: police
Law enforcement is investigating after videos surfaced online of a man confronting Buda-area students protesting ICE operations on Monday afternoon.
"It is the tone of the nation and the state right now, and it's very unfortunate that people are bringing that here into our community, while students are practicing their American foundational rights, their constitutional capacity to peacefully protest, someone's actually challenging it and challenging it with aggression," said Hays County Judge, Ruben Becerra.
The confrontation turned physical, involving multiple people. Police say the man and teen girl reported minor injuries.
No arrests were made that day.
"I don't think it's ever okay for an adult to get violent with a child," said Ayaan Moledina, federal policy director of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas.
Chad Watts, 45
On Tuesday, Buda police arrested 45-year-old Chad Michael Watts, of Kyle. He was identified as the primary aggressor in the fight.
He’s facing two counts of assault causing bodily injury.
"If nothing had happened, it could have been one of those moments where the community gets upset, and you've created a new reason to protest. And so I'm just grateful that my government did the right thing," said Judge Becerra.
Dig deeper:
The incident has heightened concern from students and parents across Central Texas, raising questions about safety during future scheduled walkouts.
"I think there's a lot of fear, not just among students, but among their parents as well, who agree with them but are fearing for their children's safety, understandably," said Moledina.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Abbott threatens school funding over student walkouts
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to strip funding from schools after hundreds of students walked out in protest of ICE operations and immigration policies.
Hays CISD Superintendent, Dr. Eric Wright, implemented new changes to walkouts moving forward.
The district says if a parent wishes to allow their child to participate in a protest, they’ll need to come to campus in person to sign their child out. Students not signed out by a parent will continue to receive unexcused absences and will be considered truant.
Hays CISD places new rules on student protests, including reinstituting Saturday detention
Hays CISD is implementing new policies regarding student protests following walkouts at five of its campuses Monday.
The district is also reinstating Saturday detention for those truant students.
"The classrooms aren't jails. And if someone wants to walk out and peacefully protest, you can tell them whatever you want all day long, but unless you're handcuffing them, they aren't free to roam about as long as your parents are involved and informed, and they're safe and not harming anyone else," said Becerra.
Buda police said the investigation is ongoing to determine if additional charges will be filed.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Jenna King and previous coverage