An Ohio State University professor's takedown of a cameraman has sparked heated debate about campus security and self-defense. John Fortney, a former broadcast journalist with a decade in the Ohio Senate, defends the professor's actions as justified self-defense.

Fortney, who has Krav Maga training, argues the professor responded appropriately when confronted by an aggressive individual wearing a hoodie who approached within personal space while holding camera equipment. The incident occurred at OSU's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, which has faced criticism from political opponents seeking to politicize the event.

The former news anchor emphasizes that threats to public officials and campus safety are increasingly common, citing recent attacks on political figures and threats against law enforcement. He argues that the professor's split-second decision to neutralize the perceived threat was reasonable given the circumstances, noting that trained individuals might have responded more forcefully.