A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged after allegedly making violent threats on social media just hours before a vigil honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), according to multiple reports.
The suspect, Xaelyn Dunbar, faces a third-degree felony charge of making a terroristic threat after he allegedly posted comments on Facebook suggesting he planned to disrupt the September 15 vigil with his Ford F-250 diesel truck, which authorities interpreted as a potential vehicular attack.
“This is a disgrace and I can tell you right now ima make sure this won’t be a good nor comforting vigil yall watch and see,” Dunbar allegedly wrote on a San Antonio Young Republicans Facebook post promoting the event. “Ima make this a movie … me and my truck.”
When questioned by another user, Dunbar reportedly responded, “You’ll see tmr I jus wouldn’t advise tryna stop a Ford 250 Diesel truck. Show yall how much Charlie really means.”
Immediate Law Enforcement Response
The alarming comments were flagged by the Southwest Texas Fusion Center, an interagency intelligence coordination hub operated by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). The threat was then relayed to the UTSA Police Department, who escalated the situation to SAPD.
Officers from SAPD and Universal City Police quickly mobilized and tracked Dunbar to his residence at Sagebrush Apartments, located on the city’s northeast side. According to the arrest affidavit, Dunbar admitted to making the comments and acknowledged that they could be interpreted as threatening.
“Even if I’m 19 years old, that doesn’t mean I won’t still act like a kid,” he reportedly told officers, adding, “If that’s what it takes, I did what I did, and I can take the consequences.”
Dunbar was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held in the Bexar County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Vigil Proceeded Peacefully Amid Heightened Security
Despite the online threat, the vigil for Charlie Kirk went on as planned at UTSA and drew a crowd of roughly 1,000 people. The event was one of many memorials held nationwide for Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder who was assassinated on Sept. 10 during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Security was visibly increased at the UTSA vigil in response to the threat, but no disruptions occurred. Attendees gathered peacefully to hold candles, sing hymns, and reflect on Kirk’s legacy as a vocal conservative voice who advocated for young Americans to engage in faith and civic responsibility.
Nationwide Tensions Remain High
Dunbar’s arrest adds to growing concern about threats and violence targeting political figures and events, especially on college campuses. Since Kirk’s death, many conservatives have highlighted what they describe as a long-standing pattern of hostility toward right-leaning voices in academia.
Background on Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, 31, was a high-profile conservative commentator and activist, known for his campus tours, strong evangelical faith, and close ties to prominent Republican leaders. His assassination stunned observers across the spectrum, prompting widespread tributes.
Kirk’s funeral and memorial service — held earlier this week in Phoenix, Arizona — was reportedly viewed by over 100 million people worldwide, according to Turning Point USA officials.
Legal Consequences Loom for Dunbar
If convicted, Dunbar faces up to 10 years in prison under Texas law for making a terroristic threat. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not said whether federal charges are being considered.
As political tensions continue to simmer in the wake of Kirk’s assassination, law enforcement nationwide is on heightened alert, especially around politically charged events and figures.
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You did say the vigil drew a crowd of “roughly” 1,000 people, which was underestimated by roughly 199,000. I don’t think you do that type of thing purposely — just pointing it out.