Wisconsin Soccer Player Detained After Altercation with Reporter

Paige Ostroushko, a soccer player at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was taken into custody after a video surfaced showing her confronting a reporter from Turning Point USA. The incident occurred during an ICE protest at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on April 11, where three individuals, including Ostroushko, were arrested, as confirmed by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Ostroushko faces charges of disorderly conduct. Her father and boyfriend were also among those arrested during the protest. The altercation escalated when Turning Point USA contributor Savanah Hernandez recorded Ostroushko blowing a whistle and getting uncomfortably close to her.

“This is now the second time I have been mobbed and assaulted for filming a protest on U.S. streets,” Hernandez stated on social media, expressing her frustration over the incident.

In a separate video, Hernandez was seen being forcefully pushed to the ground by Ostroushko’s father, Chris. “I’m waking up with a headache and stiff neck this morning due to how violently anti-ICE activist, Chris Ostroushko shoved me down yesterday,” she shared on Instagram. “A second angle shows that he had to be held back by five men as he continued to charge at me.”

Chris Ostroushko was arrested for obstruction with force. The sheriff’s office has submitted charges to the county attorney for review as of April 13.

Following the incident, Hernandez expressed her concerns about safety while conducting journalism. “I’ve never asked for security when conducting point-and-shoot journalism, because I’ve always had some semblance of hope that I still live in a safe country,” she wrote. “However, after Saturday, TPUSA ensured that I will have new security protocols moving forward due to the violent nature of the left-wing.”

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Harmeet Dillon, assistant attorney general of civil rights at the Justice Department, confirmed that the FBI has initiated an investigation into the matter. “The FBI is aware of the incident that occurred at the Whipple Building. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting or providing additional information at this time,” the agency stated.

Ostroushko is no longer listed on the women’s soccer roster on the UW-Stevens Point athletics website, although her athlete bio remains active. A sophomore from Prior Lake, Minnesota, she had her second season cut short due to an ACL injury sustained during a game. According to her bio, she is majoring in biology and minoring in Spanish at the university.