Incident Details
- Date of Incident
- July 26, 2023
- Location
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Targets
- Bob Ward (WFXT)
- Assailant
- Private individual
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
A Boston 25 News reporter was allegedly assaulted outside a courthouse on July 26, 2023, by a man who had just been arraigned for impersonating a police officer. The man has since been charged.
A Boston TV reporter was allegedly assaulted on July 26, 2023, by a man leaving a courthouse after his arraignment for impersonating a police officer, according to law enforcement officials and news reports.
Byron Boisseau, 44, allegedly grabbed the TV reporter and shoved him multiple times outside the District Court in Chelsea, Massachusetts, following Boisseau’s arraignment, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said in a Sept. 12 release.
Police did not name the reporter, but WFXT-TV reported on July 26 that Boisseau shoved reporter Bob Ward after he approached Boisseau for comment. Ward later turned over footage of the alleged attack to the Massachusetts State Police.
The station said at the time that Ward was OK and had been checked out by medical professionals as a precaution.
Boisseau was charged with assault and battery of a person over 60 years old, according to the district attorney. Massachusetts law carries enhanced penalties for assaults on elderly people and people with disabilities.
“This individual chose to commit another crime right after answering on a different one. We all have a job to do. Use of force or violence against someone performing their professional duties will never be tolerated, as this individual has found out,” DA Kevin R. Hayden said in a news release.
Paul Mahoney, Boisseau’s defense attorney, declined to comment on the assault charge. Boisseau is due back in court on Nov. 1.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
