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An Ole Miss student who identified herself as one of the women caught making monkey noises and gestures outside an apartment shared by three Black students has apologized for her behavior, Action News 5 reported.
Alaina Kunes, an 18-year-old University of Mississippi freshman, described her actions as “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful” in a statement sent to the station.
As BIN reported, on Saturday (November 7), Ole Miss freshman Jakiyra Metcalf and her mother, Tasha Bolton, shared Ring doorbell footage to social media showing three white women walking past the apartment Metcalf shares with two Black roommates in Oxford, Mississippi. Two of the women appeared to make monkey noises and gestures while looking directly at the camera.
Kunes identified herself as one of the women in the footage through her statement to Action News 5. She said she had never met the women before the incident and was unaware of their race.
“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” Kunes said.
Kunes said she personally apologized to the women and hopes they will forgive her. She also claimed that she and her family have received death threats and harassment since the video circulated. She said she plans to cooperate with the university's investigation.
The university confirmed that Kunes is no longer a student, though it remains unclear whether she withdrew or was removed.
The second woman seen making gestures in the footage has not been publicly identified.
The university condemned the behavior and launched an investigation through its Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct and Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance. Officials also said they contacted the students targeted to offer support and resources.
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