Student arrested after antisemitic outburst disrupts Dave Portnoy pizza review; police say video shows man yelling slur, throwing coins
Patrick McClintock, 20, was arrested in Starkville, Mississippi, after allegedly shouting antisemitic slurs and throwing coins at Barstool founder Dave Portnoy during a public “One Bite” pizza review; video of the incident went viral online.
- Arrest: Patrick McClintock, 20, was booked on a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace following the incident captured on video.
- Incident: Video shows the suspect shouting antisemitic slurs and tossing coins toward Dave Portnoy while he filmed outside Boardtown Pizza & Pints.
- Investigation: Authorities said prosecutors may consider bias-motivated enhancements after reviewing video and witness statements.
- Sources: Reporting draws on CBS News and the public video of the encounter.
Incident overview
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, was filming his popular “One Bite” pizza review outside Boardtown Pizza & Pints in Starkville when a man approached and interrupted. Footage shows the man yelling slurs and throwing coins toward Portnoy, and the clip spread online before Portnoy posted his review. The clip is available in the public record via the video.
The confrontation
According to the circulated footage, the man shouted explicit antisemitic remarks — alleged to include, “Fuck you, Jew. Get out of Starkville.” — and then tossed coins in Portnoy’s direction. Bystanders reacted, and the exchange was brief but intense. Portnoy later described the incident publicly and discussed the toll of ongoing harassment in social-media interviews and news coverage.
“Imagine hating somebody just because of their religion in this f—ing country.” — Dave Portnoy, on the episode
Arrest and charges
Starkville police arrested Patrick McClintock and booked him on a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace. In a statement cited by CBS News, the department emphasized the community’s right to safety and the distinction between protected speech and conduct that disrupts public events: “Offensive words alone are protected, but when behavior disrupts a public event or risks violence, the Starkville Police Department will take steps to help maintain safety and security.”
Broader context and reactions
Portnoy told reporters he has perceived a “definitive shift” toward antisemitism and that he has increased personal security, including round-the-clock protection. Civil-rights groups and law enforcement have raised alarms about rising antisemitic incidents nationally; CBS News cited Anti-Defamation League statistics showing sharp increases in reported antisemitic acts over the past decade.
Legal and investigative notes
Disturbing the peace can cover a range of conduct from disorderly behavior to actions that threaten public safety. Prosecutors will review the video, witness statements and police evidence to decide whether to upgrade charges or seek bias-motivated enhancements under state law. The department reiterated that while offensive speech is generally protected, conduct that threatens safety may meet the threshold for arrest.
Public reaction and online spread
The clip circulated rapidly on social media, amplified by Portnoy’s large following. Online commentary ranged from condemnation and calls for accountability to debate about security, free speech, and the risks public figures face while filming in public. The episode illustrates how quickly local incidents become national stories when recorded and shared.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Economic impact
Local businesses that host public gatherings or influencer events should consider security reviews and staff training. Viral incidents can affect perceptions of safety and influence consumer behavior in tourism-dependent communities like Huntington Beach.
Political consequences
The arrest and police response may be used by local leaders to advocate for law-and-order policies and clearer penalties for disorderly conduct that endangers others. Prompt enforcement can be framed as a deterrent to public disruption.
Social effects
Community groups, faith organizations and schools may use the incident as a prompt for public dialogue on tolerance, security and outreach to reduce the likelihood of similar confrontations at events.
Cultural relevance
Huntington Beach’s family-friendly image can be strained by incidents of targeted hate speech. Cultural institutions and civic leaders might issue statements reaffirming respect for diverse residents while balancing free-speech concerns.
Practical applications for residents
Recommendations include coordinated plans with police for crowd control, volunteer marshals for events, staff de-escalation training, and clear signage discouraging harassment. Venues that host influencers or media events should prepare rapid-notification plans to call law enforcement.
Linking back to the case
Local leaders focused on enforcement will monitor how prosecutors handle potential bias-motivated enhancements. The presence of clear video evidence in the Portnoy incident makes this a notable example of how recorded confrontations are reviewed by police and the courts.
Reporting and sources
This article draws on the public video of the event and reporting by CBS News, which includes police statements, Portnoy’s comments and context about rising antisemitic incidents. All factual details and source URLs are preserved from those accounts.
