A disturbing viral video has sparked outrage across the Atlanta University Center (AUC) community after appearing to show a Morehouse College student assaulting a Clark Atlanta University student on a Georgia State University bus last week.
According to police, the altercation began when a woman, later identified as a Clark Atlanta University student, approached a man after he allegedly stepped on her foot.
She told officers that the man’s girlfriend, also a Clark Atlanta student, pushed her, leading to a confrontation that quickly escalated.
The man, identified by authorities as Matthew Gonzales Forestine, is seen in the viral footage lifting the woman off the ground with his arm around her neck and swinging her as bystanders react in shock.
Gonzales Forestine was later arrested and is being held at the Fulton County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats.
Shortly after the video circulated across social media, Morehouse College issued a response. In an Instagram statement from the Division of Student Services, the college stated:
“We want to state unequivocally that the behavior shown is disappointing and completely inconsistent with Morehouse’s mission, values, and expectations of its community members.”
The institution confirmed that its Campus Safety and Student Services teams began reviewing the matter through established student conduct processes and are collaborating with Clark Atlanta University leadership and the Atlanta Police Department to reach “a just resolution.”
The college emphasized that while federal privacy laws prevent discussing disciplinary details, accountability remains a priority:
“Our highest priority remains to be the safety and well-being of all students… we are committed to ensuring accountability for all parties found responsible.”
Morehouse President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman followed up with a personal statement addressing the seriousness of the incident, especially a case involving violence against a woman.
“Whether physical, verbal, or written, violence and threats of violence have no place in the Morehouse community, particularly violence against women.”
He went on to highlight the college’s longstanding mission to develop Black men of character:
“Morehouse Men are expected to embody the values of compassion and moral discipline… it is even more imperative that we all maintain an unwavering commitment to upholding these core principles.”
Bowman reiterated the college’s cooperation with authorities and its commitment to community safety while noting that FERPA regulations limit the amount of information the college can share publicly during an active conduct review.
“The College does hold its community members to the expectation of consistently embodying Morehouse’s values both inside and outside our campus grounds.”
In a separate statement, Clark Atlanta University President George T. French Jr. condemned the incident and expressed deep concern for his student.
“We want to be clear: violence as a whole within our society is antithetical and disruptive to our culture. Moreover, violence of any kind, particularly against women, is intolerable, unacceptable, and has no place on our campuses.”
French affirmed CAU’s dedication to supporting the student involved and working with Morehouse to ensure accountability.
As investigations continue, the AUC community is calling for care, accountability, and a reaffirmation of values around respect, safety, and the protection of women.
