Woman seen in viral Ole Miss doorbell video apologizes as university investigates

A white woman who appeared in a widely shared doorbell camera clip outside an off-campus apartment rented by three Black University of Mississippi students has issued an apology but says she had no racist motive, TMJ4 and WMC reported. WMC's report was carried by Gray News outlets.

The Ring camera captured three women passing the apartment door on Nov. 6, according to WMC, and two of them seemed to mimic a monkey's sounds and movements while walking by. TMJ4 said the clip has drawn over 12 million views. WMC reported that the complex includes student housing leased by the university.

In remarks released by her lawyers, the woman said she did not know the tenants and was unaware they were Black, both TMJ4 and WMC reported. She called her behavior "insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful," said she had apologized to the residents, and pledged to cooperate with the school's inquiry. She also reported death threats and harassment directed at her family and requested privacy. Her spokesperson confirmed she is no longer enrolled at Ole Miss, TMJ4 said.

According to WMC, the identity of the other woman who made the gestures remains unknown. TMJ4 noted that nobody has been criminally charged.

The case gained notice in Wisconsin, TMJ4 reported, after online users tied the woman to the family that founded a Midwest car dealership chain. The company told the station she does not work for, own or otherwise represent the business, though it declined to address whether she is related to its founders.

Ole Miss called the conduct offensive, hurtful and unacceptable, according to WKOW, which published a report from WAPT. The school said its offices handling student conduct and equal opportunity compliance are reviewing the matter, and that federal privacy rules restrict what it can reveal about any student or penalty.

Students have responded strongly. Kayla Amos, who leads the campus NAACP chapter, told WAPT she reached out to the targeted student and wants those involved held to account. "I think instances like this may happen all the time, but very few get caught on video," Amos said.

Kori Jeffries, a student, told WAPT the clip has made classmates worry about their safety even indoors. "It makes us feel unsafe," she said. The Black Student Union has also urged a thorough investigation and discipline, the station reported.

A mother of one tenant told WMC her family has retained a lawyer and intends to comment later. The student's grandfather told WAPT the family took time to grasp how serious the episode was.

The university's past includes a fatal riot in 1962, when James Meredith enrolled as its first Black student.

Compiled by True News from reporting by TMJ4, WKOW, Dakota News Now and WIS. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/954