Three Black students at the University of Mississippi are speaking out after a disturbing Ring doorbell video allegedly showed white students making monkey gestures and noises outside their apartment.
The three freshmen, Jakiyra Metcalf, Kaiyden Caldwell, and Victoria Johnson, recently sat down with CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan to discuss what happened and how the incident has affected them.
The video was recorded on November 6, 2026, outside the apartment where the three roommates live in Oxford, Mississippi. According to the footage, three white women can be seen walking past the apartment’s front door. Two of the women appear to make monkey-like gestures and noises while passing the Ring camera.
The disturbing footage was later shared online by Metcalf and quickly spread across social media, drawing millions of views and thousands of reactions from people demanding accountability.
During their interview the students explained that they discovered what happened after reviewing their Ring camera footage. Rather than simply letting the situation go, the roommates decided to go outside and confront the women.
Metcalf explained that they wanted answers and attempted to get the women to explain why they had made the gestures.
According to the students, one of the women apologized during the confrontation. However, Johnson said another woman continued making the gestures even while the apology was taking place.
Johnson described that moment as a slap in the face, explaining that the behavior made the situation even more upsetting.
The roommates also questioned an explanation that the women had allegedly made similar gestures at multiple apartment doors. Johnson said they did not see evidence of anyone else being targeted and felt their apartment was singled out.
One of the women identified in connection with the incident, 18-year-old Alaina Kunes, later issued a public apology.
In her statement, Kunes acknowledged that her behavior was inappropriate and harmful. She also claimed she had never met the students before November 6 and was unaware of their race when the incident happened.
Kunes said she never intended to direct those noises or gestures toward a person of color and stated that she had apologized to the women involved.
Kunes subsequently announced that she was voluntarily withdrawing from the University of Mississippi. She also said that she and her family had experienced harassment and received death threats following the video’s release.
Kunes stated that she intended to cooperate with the university’s investigation and asked for privacy for her family.
When Duncan asked the roommates about the apology, their responses showed that they were still processing the incident.
Metcalf explained that regardless of whether Kunes knew their race, the gestures and noises were disrespectful.
Caldwell also made it clear that although she appreciated the apology, it did not change what happened that night.
She explained that it was still hurtful and devastating to see someone approach their camera and behave that way.
The interview also included Victoria Johnson’s mother, Chiquita Laó, who shared her thoughts about the situation.
Laó said she believed everyone involved should be held accountable, but also expressed sadness that Kunes had withdrawn from the university. She acknowledged that the decision could have a lasting impact on the young woman’s future.
Her comments added another perspective to a situation that has sparked a much larger conversation about accountability, racism, and the consequences of actions captured on social media.
Following the video’s spread, the University of Mississippi publicly condemned the behavior shown in the footage.
University officials described the actions as deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable, making it clear that the behavior did not represent the values the school wants its community to uphold.
The university also confirmed that it had contacted the students who were directly affected to offer support and available resources.
Officials stated that the incident was being investigated through the appropriate university offices. However, the school explained that student conduct records and potential disciplinary actions are protected under federal privacy laws, meaning certain details cannot be publicly released.
The university also urged people to be careful about spreading unverified information online after incorrect claims circulated about other students and campus organizations being involved.
The Students Say They Aren’t Letting the Incident Define Their College Experience.
Video Credit: CBS News
Leave a Reply