Citing the “threat of escalating violence,” Penn State University Police Monday night announced online they were pulling the plug on a planned event featuring McInnes, founder of the Proud Boys. Details on the circumstances triggering the cancellation are still emerging, but social media posts point to the Proud Boys escalating the situation.

Nick Ribaudo, who describes himself as a broadcaster, said in a tweet that multiple protesters told him they were maced by Proud Boys, not local police.

“Fascists in all black just pepper sprayed a bunch of protesters (and media),” tweeted Tess Owen, reporter at Vice News.

University spokesperson Lisa Powers told Newsweek in an email Monday night to reference a tweet posted earlier by university police regarding the demonstration that stated, “To be clear, pepper spray was not discharged by law enforcement.”

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi issued a statement early Tuesday morning, saying no one was seriously injured in the confrontation that was triggered when Stein approached a group of protesters.

“It is unclear which individuals onsite then resorted to physical confrontation and to using pepper spray against others in the crowd, including against police officers,” Bendapudi said.

She said the event was canceled “because campus police were concerned about escalating violence and public safety.” Bendapudi called Stein and McInnes “provocateurs known for their abhorrent views and rhetoric” who targeted the university because of its commitment to free speech.

Penn State had earlier issued a statement condemning the speakers, calling out that the Proud Boys have been deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and that Stein has been called a “professional troll.”

Bendapudi lamented that Stein and McInnes as well as the counter-protesters would both claim victory.

“Tonight, the message too many people will walk away with is that one can manipulate people to generate free publicity, or that one can restrict speech by escalating protest to violence,” she said. “These are not ideas that we can endorse as an institution of higher education.”

McInnes reacted to the event’s cancellation with a post to his Telegram channel Tuesday, saying a counter-protester used pepper spray. He also pointed out that under the Penn State’s previous president, Eric Barron, controversial far-right speaker Milo Yiannopoulos was able to hold an event at Penn State last year titled “Pray the Gay Away” despite campus backlash.

“Neeli Bendapudi is president this year and she caved to the mob almost immediately,” said McInnes. “Amazing what a difference leadership can make.”

Stein posted a video to Twitter Monday evening showing him approaching a crowd of counter-protesters, reveling in the insults they lobbed at him and making light of being spat on.

McInnes, a co-founder of Vice Media and right-wing commentator, was earlier scheduled to appear at Penn State with Blaze TV contributor Stein for an event titled “Stand Back & Stand By” that was sponsored by student group Uncensored America, reports independent student newspaper The Daily Collegian. While McInnes has quit the Proud Boys, which have been involved in street brawls, he remains a controversial figure.

“The University has been clear that the views and speech of the two speakers at tonight’s student-organization-hosted event are abhorrent and do not align with the values of Penn State,” the university said its statement Monday night. “We have encouraged peaceful protest, and, while protest is an acceptable means of expression, it becomes unacceptable when it obstructs the basic exchange of ideas.”

The university’s statement noted the “polarized” political environment and how violence has erupted at college campuses.

The Student Committee for Defense and Solidarity, another student group, earlier began circulating a petition demanding the university administration pull the plug on the event, arguing that Uncensored America “manipulates the rhetoric of ‘free speech’ and ‘ideas’ in order to provide ideological cover for funneling money and resources away from Penn State students,” the Collegian reports.

The night of the event, students at 7 p.m. received an email telling them to avoid the area around the Thomas Building, warning of an “unlawful disturbance” and those in the area could be arrested, reports the Tribune-Review.

Video posted online by the Collegian shows protesters marching through campus. A group carried a banner reading, “white supremacists off our campus.” The paper later posted another video showing McInnes and Stein exiting the building with a police escort before climbing into a car to leave.

Update 10/25/22, 5 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comment from Penn State and reactions from Stein and McInnes.