The Texas State University student who was expelled when he was caught mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination in front of a horrified crowd claimed he “made a mistake in the heat of the moment.”

Devion Canty Jr. pleaded for help with his education costs on GoFundMe Thursday, just days after he vilely spewed profanity at a group of mourners outside the school’s Turning Point USA chapter.

“Recently, I faced a situation where I had to choose between immediate expulsion or withdrawing from the university,” Canty Jr said on the crowdfunding page. “I made the decision to withdraw—not because I wanted to leave, but for my own safety and the well-being of the campus community.”

Devion Canty Jr. identified himself as the Texas State University student caught mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination on Sept. 115, 2025.
Devion Canty Jr. identified himself as the Texas State University student caught mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 15, 2025.johnny maga, /X
Canty claimed he was being targeted as an “out-of-control, disrespectful young Black man” and that he was just a “passionate student who made a mistake in the heat of the moment,” he wrote in his self-run fundraiser.

“Spit on, called racial slurs, and witnessing women being cursed at and pushed around. I spoke up, and while I recognize my actions weren’t perfect, I did not harm anyone,” Canty wrote.

Canty, who named his fundraiser “going back to txst,” was captured on video shouting at mourners on campus after Kirk was struck by a single gunshot by alleged assassin Tyler Robinson during an event at Utah Valley University.

“Charlie Kirk got hit in the neck, bitch!” Canty yelled in the video, slapping his neck and imitating the recoil of a bullet’s impact.

The ousted Bobcat student then climbed up to the base of a statue at the San Marcos campus and repeated the controversial re-enactment, dramatically slumping to the ground as if he were shot.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for the immediate removal of the student from the public institution after the viral video circulated across the internet.

“Hey Texas State. This conduct is not accepted at our schools. Expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination must have consequences,” Abbott wrote on X.

Canty grabbed his neck in his reenactment of Kirk being shot during the on campus event.
Canty grabbed his neck in his reenactment of Kirk being shot during the on-campus event.johnny maga, /X

Canty throws his head back imitating the recoil of a bullet’s impact.
Canty throws his head back, imitating the recoil of a bullet’s impact.johnny maga, /X
School officials quickly identified the instigator in the video and announced he was removed from the student population.

“The university has identified the student in the disturbing video from Monday’s event. I will not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence on our campuses. It is antithetical to our TXST values,” Texas State University President Kelly Damphouse said in a statement.

Canty claims he was given the option of “immediate expulsion or withdrawing” from the school and allegedly chose to remove himself from the university. He has raised nearly $2,000 as of Saturday morning and set a goal of $9,000.

“This fundraiser will help me cover the costs of pursuing my education elsewhere or taking the necessary steps to return to Texas State,” he wrote. “I still believe in my education and my future, and I would love to be welcomed back on campus one day.”

Canty is the latest GoFundMe user who has taken to the fundraising site in an attempt to raise money after they were ousted from their job or school over remarks they made after Kirk’s death.

Charlie Kirk speaks to a crowd at Utah Valley University moments before he was shot on Sept. 10, 2025.
Charlie Kirk speaks to a crowd at Utah Valley University moments before he was shot on Sept. 10, 2025.

Charlie Kirk with his wife and children before he was killed.
Charlie Kirk with his wife and children before he was killed.johnny maga, /X
Several fundraisers were set up by people who claimed they were “doxed and fired” for speaking out against “fascists.”

“The harassment reached my workplace, and it cost me my income. But let me be clear: this will not silence me. If anything, I intend to be louder. I want to use this as an opportunity to dig deeper into creating content that amplifies the voices of the unheard and continues to challenge hate,” one person wrote on the crowdsourcing site.

The handout hopeful has raised over $75,000 towards her goal of $80,000, but didn’t share exactly what led to her firing.

She claims she needs a “cushion to stay afloat” to take care of her pets and her bills.