Nationwide — Kenneth Leland Morgan, a man from Athens, Georgia, who wore a Nazi uniform to a downtown bar, was arrested after smashing a glass mug into a University of Georgia student’s face during a heated argument.
Morgan, 32, was taken into custody around 2:56 a.m. and charged with aggravated assault and simple battery. Jail records show he remained behind bars without bond as of Saturday. According to Atlanta Black Star, he was dressed as a Gestapo officer, wearing a swastika armband when the fight erupted outside Cutters Pub.
Witnesses said UGA student Grace Lang confronted Morgan after seeing him in the Nazi outfit. Lang told The Red & Black she tried to pull off his swastika armband “to remove a hate symbol.” That’s when Morgan struck her in the face with a large beer stein, breaking her nose and leaving her with cuts and bruises.
Videos shared online show the moment of the assault, with bystanders shouting in shock. The clips also captured police later handcuffing a man matching Morgan’s description near a nearby parking deck. The footage quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage and debate about public hate symbols in Athens.
UGA confirmed the victim was a student but said the attack occurred off campus. “The man is not a student and is not affiliated with the university,” the school said in a statement, thanking Athens-Clarke County police for their swift action. The university’s student care and outreach team reached out to Lang and witnesses, offering counseling to those affected by the incident.
Police have yet to release the full arrest report or confirm if hate-crime charges are being considered. The case has prompted local discussions about safety and antisemitism in downtown Athens, where bars often fill with students late into the night.
Lang is recovering from her injuries, while Morgan remains in custody. Authorities are expected to release more details once the investigation report is finalized and court proceedings begin next week.