Rhode Island WLNE-TV reporter Abbey Niezgoda was attacked by a dog and her news crew was pelted with a rock and threatened by a baseball bat-wielding interview subject on Tuesday as they tried to get reactions to a graduation party shooting.
Niezgoda and her crew were attempting to speak with victim's mother, Melissa Lawrence, after a teenage boy turned himself in to authorities. Lawrence's daughter is recovering after being shot in the back.
Urgent: Is Obama Telling the Truth on IRS, Benghazi Scandals?
Video footage shows Lawrence hurling a rock at the camera. As the crew turns to leave, she returns with a baseball bat, and screams "Get away from me!" She then instructs her two pit bulls to attack, and Niezgoda is seen being bit on her forearm. She received a tetanus shot.
ABC6 reported that the crew was never on the woman's property and was attacked in the street.
Police arrested Lawrence, and she will likely have to answer to felony assault charges.
The shooting occurred Sunday when a group of uninvited youths arrived at the kindergarten graduation party of Lawrence's nephew.
One of the guests, 16-year-old Ny'asia Lawrence, was shot and later treated at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Police said the situation escalated when Melissa Lawrence told one of the guests to either leave or pay for the food he was eating.
Urgent Poll: Is the US Economy Healthy? Is it a Bubble About to Burst Again? Vote Now
Related stories:
Owner Charged With Murder After Pack of Dogs Mauled Jogger
Jason Ellis: Police Dog Figo Pays Respects to Fallen Partner
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.