MISSISSIPPI (CBS 58) -- An 18-year-old University of Mississippi student, who was captured walking past an apartment making monkey noises and gestures at the door, has issued a public apology.

The video was captured over the weekend and has been getting a lot of attention across the nation. It shows a group of three students, one identified as 18-year-old Alaina Kunes, walking past an apartment door with two of them making gestures directly into the camera. According to CBS, the apartment is the home of an Ole Miss freshman and her two roommates, all of whom are Black.

According to her attorney, Kunes has ties to Wisconsin-based Kunes Auto Group. In January of 2025 an Oak Creek woman said a racial slur was written on an oil change sticker placed on her vehicle following a service appointment. Kunes Auto Group fired the employee at the time.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, a public apology was issued by Kunes' lawyer on her behalf:

“To the women I offended and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize. Before the incident on November 6, I never met the women involved and was unaware of their race, however, I recognize my actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful. I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color. I have apologized to the women and I pray they will forgive me. I can never truly understand the pain I have caused them and it was never my intention. These girls deserve to feel seen and understood and what I did is not a reflection of who I am trying to become

“Over the past several days, my family and I have received death threats and harassment. I am grateful for the authorities working to ensure our safety. As I intend to cooperate fully with the University’s investigation, I ask for privacy for my family. I understand the seriousness of this situation and remain committed to taking responsibility and learning from this embarrassing ordeal.”

                - Alaina Kunes, 18 years old, Freshman, University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi says they are aware of the video and an investigation is ongoing. A message from Shawnboda Mead, University of Mississippi's vice chancellor for student affairs, says in part: 

"Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued at the University of Mississippi. Racism and actions that disparage people because of an aspect of their identity have no place in our campus community. We remain committed to ensuring our actions reflect the foundational values of dignity and respect for every individual and fostering an environment where all students are cared for and feel they belong."