Ole Miss student criticized for doorbell video issues public apology, leaves university

MISSISSIPPI (CBS 58) – A southeastern Wisconsin woman caught on video making monkey noises through a black woman’s doorbell at the University of Mississippi has issued a public apology and is no longer attending school.

Alaina Kunes, 18, was one of three young women in the video and is connected to a well-known local car dealership.

A source close to the family confirms that Kunes withdrew from the University of Mississippi due to safety concerns and harassment.

Video captured by a doorbell camera made national headlines after hundreds of thousands of people online and university officials called the students’ actions racist. It shows a group of three students, one identified as Alaina Kunes, 18, walking past an apartment door, two of them gesturing directly to 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 a family representative, Kunes is the granddaughter of Gregg Kunes, owner of the Wisconsin-based Kunes Auto Group. His father, Scott Kunes, was the former COO before leaving the company in February 2026.

In another incident in January 2025, an Oak Creek woman said a racial slur was written on an oil change sticker placed on her vehicle following a maintenance appointment. Kunes Auto Group then fired the employee.

As for the Mississippi incident, on Tuesday, November 10, a public apology was issued by Alaina Kunes:

“To the women I offended and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize. Prior to the November 6 incident, I had never met the women involved and was unaware of their race. However, I recognize that my actions were insensitive, inappropriate and deeply harmful. I would never intentionally make these noises or gestures toward a person of color. I have apologized to the women and pray that they forgive me. I will never be able to truly understand the pain I caused them and that was never my intention. These girls deserve to feel seen and understood and what I did does not reflect who I am trying to become.

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

– Alaina Kunes, 18, freshman, University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi says it is aware of the video and that an investigation is underway. A message from Shawnboda Mead, vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Mississippi, reads in part:

“Every student deserves to feel safe, respected and valued at the University of Mississippi. Racism and actions that denigrate people because of some aspect of their identity have no place in our university community.

Kunes Auto Group released the following statement to CBS 58 on Tuesday, November 10:

“The person in the video has no employment, property or professional affiliation with Kunes Auto Group. We do not comment on private citizens not affiliated with the company.”