Incident Details
- Date of Incident
- October 17, 2024
- Assailant
- Private individual
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
A news crew with TV station WDTN was the target of a robbery attempt on Oct. 17, 2024, while covering the aftermath of a fire in downtown Dayton, Ohio. An unidentified videographer suffered minor injuries; two suspects were later arrested.
A broadcaster photographer for NBC television affiliate WDTN was injured when a man struck him with a cane during an attempted robbery in Dayton, Ohio, on Oct. 17, 2024.
The station reported that a photographer and reporter were covering the aftermath of an underground fire downtown at approximately 5:15 p.m. when two men attempted to steal their video camera and tripod.
The photographer was struggling with one of the assailants when the second struck him with a cane, according to WDTN. The assailants fled a short while later without the equipment.
On Oct. 25, Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck Jr. announced the arrest and indictment of two men — Billith Lane and Christian Morrow — on charges of robbery with physical harm.
“These defendants outrageously robbed a TV news cameraman in broad daylight,” Heck said in a statement. “They needlessly attacked the victim, sending him to the hospital. Such acts of violence demands they be held accountable.”
Both Lane and Morrow are being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bonds, and their arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 29, the news release said.
WDTN did not respond to a request for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
