This fact check finds the video is authentic body‑worn camera footage from the University of Central Florida recorded on February 5, 2025. UCF confirmed the student involved was Jarrett Vick, who was later arrested and charged after an altercation with officers. The clip shared online contains selected excerpts from the full 12:54 bodycam recording; there is no evidence the footage was AI‑generated or staged.
Fact Check: Video of Transgender Florida Student Is Authentic UCF Bodycam Footage — Not AI or Staged
Lead Stories says: Bodycam Video
The circulating clip of a transgender University of Central Florida (UCF) student is genuine body‑worn camera footage from UCF Police — it is not AI‑generated or staged. The recording was made on February 5, 2025, and shows an encounter involving then‑student Jarrett Vick that led to an arrest and criminal charges.
Background
On July 22, 2026, an X account (@Shawdes29) shared excerpts from the footage and suggested the clip was a caricatured, fabricated portrayal of a transgender person. The post framed the material as a parody and implied the video was fake.
"You can tell this is fake because of the caricature of a 'trans person'. It's the same design as all the anti trans memes right wingers share." — Post by @Shawdes29 on X (archived)
What Verification Shows
University of Central Florida officials confirmed the origin and timing of the recording. UCF Public Safety Communications Manager Amanda Sellers told Lead Stories on July 23, 2026, that the footage was recorded on February 5, 2025, and that Jarrett Vick was last enrolled at UCF in Spring 2025, is not a current student, and did not graduate from the university.
Image source: post by @Shawdes29 on X.
Incident Details
According to UCF communications and police records, officers responded to reports of a verbal altercation involving Vick and several juveniles. When officers arrived, the situation escalated and Vick became combative, resulting in an arrest. Vick was charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting an Officer With Violence.
About the Video
The full body‑worn camera recording runs about 12 minutes and 54 seconds. The portion showing the encounter with Vick begins roughly 15 seconds into the full recording; the X post and other social shares contain selected excerpts from that longer file.
Why Claims the Video Is Fake Are Incorrect
The claim that the clip is AI‑generated or staged is contradicted by the provenance provided by UCF and by the existence of the full bodycam file. There is no credible evidence that the footage was synthesized or reenacted. Selective clipping and satirical commentary can create misleading impressions, but do not change the origin or authenticity of the underlying recording.
Bottom line: The footage is authentic UCF Police body camera video recorded on February 5, 2025. Claims that the clip is AI‑generated or staged are false.
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