A Kansas college student was questioned by campus security and police after he was reportedly accused of not belonging on campus because of his appearance. The Wichita State University student, who goes by Lil Heavy on Instagram, says his gold teeth and being Black played a role in why security questioned whether he was a student.
The encounter ended after an officer recognized him and confirmed that he belonged on campus.
The video was filmed inside a Wichita State University building. The student explains that security was telling him he was not a student and wanted him to leave campus. “They saying I’m not a student here because I’m black and I got a gold teeth,” he says.
He also says they were calling the police and trying to have him removed. After another student is seen on the phone, the video cuts to police arriving and asking the student for his identification.
The student hands over his ID and gives his enrollment number while explaining that he has not done anything wrong. “I try to dress the same as everyone else,” he says. “Just because my teeth are gold or anything, I don’t know.”
He then points out a security guard speaking with the officers and says the guard is telling police that he does not belong at the university and should be trespassed or charged.
The officers then discuss the situation among themselves. One officer notes that he is trying to figure out what is happening, while another points out that even someone who is not a student can be on the property because it is a public university and the buildings are open.
The situation takes another turn when an officer recognizes the student personally. “I know you,” the officer tells him. “I knew exactly who you was, and hey, I’m proud of you. I’m glad to see you getting your stuff together.” He then tells the student he is proud of him.
Internet Reacts to Kansas Campus Security Stop
The video was shared on Instagram by @lilheavy1400 and later reshared on X by @LongTimeHistory. The comments criticised the decision to involve police over the student’s appearance.
One commenter called the incident, “So absurd and downright SICK.” Another connected it to the current political climate, writing, “Trump and MAGA and ICE have made it OK for people to be openly racist again.” A third commenter described the incident simply as, “Profiling at its best!!!”
Other commenters questioned why multiple officers were involved. One wrote, “Four cops showed up to question one guy. Ridiculous. That is harassment and a lawsuit should be filed.” Another criticized the circumstances that led to the police response, writing, “The moral of the story is befriend as many cops as possible in hopes that it saves your ass when a racist asshole tries to weaponize the police against you for being black in public. It wasn’t always help, but it improves your odds.”
Another commenter summed up their reaction by writing, “Punished for being Black in America—and for daring to pursue higher education.”
Wichita State is a public university in Kansas, and the school had not yet released a statement.
