Detroit Journalists Attacked at Crime Scene While on Assignment

Several local Detroit journalists were attacked by a man with a baton early Thursday morning, one during a live broadcast.

Mike Campbell, a reporter for WWJ-AM (950), was reporting on a fatal pedestrian crash from inside his van around 6 a.m. when he decided to put the windows up because of a man walking by saying foul words, the Detroit Free Press reported.

“Apparently, just, something angered him,” Campbell said, the Press reported. “He turned around and attacked the news truck.” The man hit the driver’s side window and windshield with the baton.

WXYZ reporter Nia Harden and photojournalist Mike Krotche also were on scene reporting the accident when the same man approached them, smashed the windshield of their live truck, and damaged the side mirror, the Press reported.

No one was injured in the attacks, Patch reported. The man is reported to be in police custody. No reason has been given for the attacks.

Most Twitter users immediately blamed President Donald Trump’s comments about journalists for the attacks, while some pointed out that conservatives also have been attacked, particularly on college campuses while speaking to students and faculty.

This is on Donal Trump...all of it...https://t.co/c46bLz5rPn

— sweet bee 🌊 (@tdillner) August 2, 2018

This is on YOU, Donald. Radio, TV station journalists attacked in Detroit while on assignment https://t.co/GpPp4XReAD

— John B (@JBLinden) August 2, 2018

It’s really awful behavior. Hopefully the media will better understand now how conservative speakers get treated at colleges when they are attacked. Irvine college comes to mind. This nonsense needs to stop on all sides.

— Brad Cooney (@bradcooney1) August 2, 2018

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