A video of police using a taser stun gun on a persistent questioner of Senator John Kerry has been distributed on the internet, generating debate about free speech but also about the motives of the college student involved - a known prankster who posts practical jokes online.
The University of Florida called for a state investigation of the case, in which Andrew Meyer, 21, was shot with the electric gun after yelling "Don't tase me, bro" at police.
Details emerged of Mr Meyer's online writings and videos, raising the question of whether his harangue was genuine or a stunt. His web videos include one of him standing in a street with a sign that says "Harry Dies" after the latest Harry Potter book was released. In another, he acts like a drunk in a bar while trying to pick up a man dressed in drag.
The site also has what is called a "disorganised diatribe" attributed to Mr Meyer that criticises the Iraq war, the news media for not covering the conflict enough, and the American public for paying too much attention to celebrity news. The site lists his activities as "getting wasted" and "being ridiculous".
Videos of the arrest had by today been viewed more than 400,000 times on YouTube. About 100 students gathered at the campus today in protest, some wearing T-shirts denouncing police violence.
University police said they had been summoned to the forum to escort Mr Meyer from the building, though organisers disputed that and said his microphone was cut off after he swore. The police said he was tasered because he resisted when officers tried to handcuff him, though his lawyer said it appeared he was already in cuffs when shot.
Mr Meyer had refused to leave the microphone after questioning Mr Kerry about impeaching the president, George Bush, why he didn't challenge the 2004 election results, and whether he and Mr Bush were members of the secret society Skull and Bones at Yale University.
Mr Meyer was held in custody overnight and police were still deciding whether to lay charges.