On May 1, 2017, the UT Austin community was forever changed when a student, Harrison Brown, was killed and several others were injured in a brutal stabbing attack on our campus. The attacker, Kendrex White, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental health facility.
Now, we have learned that Mr. White has a court hearing rescheduled for October 1, 2025 to evaluate the possibility of his release.
On behalf of SafeHorns, a parent- and community- led nonprofit committed to student safety in and around the UT Austin campus, I am writing to express our deep concern about this potential release.
This is not about punishment. It is about prevention.
UT students and their families deserve the assurance that those who have caused irreversible harm to our community will not return without every measure of safety being considered. We believe that releasing Mr. White poses an ongoing risk and would reopen deep wounds for survivors, witnesses, and the broader UT community.
We respectfully urge the court to deny release and continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of students, families, and the community.
Sincerely,
Joell McNew
President, SafeHorns