Turning Point USA Chapter Approval Sparks Clash at Fort Lewis College — Student Detained After Striking Attendee

On Nov. 7, an emergency meeting of the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College (ASFLC) approved a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) student chapter, prompting a heated reaction from roughly 70 attendees. Campus police reports and video footage show student Megan Elizabeth Hope Mollett (who uses the name Nova and they/them pronouns) striking local resident Dave Peters with an empty Taco Bell cup after Peters recorded near them. Mollett was detained by a campus officer and the incident was logged as "harassment"; no criminal charges were filed and Mollett received a warning.

"The male pulled out his phone and began recording the student with his phone approximately a foot away from the student's face," the police report said. "The male was identified as Dave Peters and the student who appears female was later identified as Megan Mollett who goes by Nova and identifies as they/them. Mollett began to strike Peters' phone and hand with an empty Taco Bell cup after he approached with his phone in his hand."

Dave Peters, 66, a former La Plata County GOP chair and retired Chevron executive, told officials he did not want to press criminal charges but asked the college to consider disciplinary action. Peters said the meeting grew tense as attendees left: some applauded while others booed, and a separate confrontation involved retired Fort Lewis anthropology professor David Kozak, who was recorded shouting and making an obscene gesture at TPUSA supporters.

The campus officer who spoke with Mollett described the scene as politically charged and told attendees to calm down. According to the report, the officer warned Mollett they could face harassment or assault charges for striking Peters but ultimately allowed them to return to their group after receiving a verbal warning and instructions to remain calm.

Background

The approval followed weeks of campus controversy. Senior Jonah Flynn originally proposed forming the TPUSA chapter; student government initially rejected the proposal after a petition urged denial. A counter-petition in support of the chapter was subsequently launched, and ASFLC reversed course in an emergency vote to recognize the organization.

College response

A Fort Lewis College spokesperson reiterated that students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct and that the college values free speech while upholding standards for civility and safety. The spokesperson declined to discuss potential disciplinary measures for individual students, citing federal student privacy protections (FERPA), and said the college follows established procedures when allegations of misconduct arise.

The episode highlights deep divisions on campus over political organizing and the limits of protest and free expression. The police report remains the central record of the incident, and the college has said it is handling the matter through its disciplinary processes.