Journalist attacked, microphone damaged at protest over donkey killing

Salvatore “Sal” Insinga, a reporter and chief editor for independent local news outlet Eye on Cherokee, was assaulted and had his camera and microphone damaged while covering a Sept. 11, 2026, protest over the police killing of a pet donkey in Cedartown, Georgia.

The protest outside the Polk County Courthouse called for the firing of the Cedartown police officer who shot and killed HeeHaw, a young, bottle-raised miniature donkey, while helping search for a missing 12-year-old girl. Protesters also demanded the immediate release of video of the shooting. HeeHaw’s owner has sought $1 million from the city and sued the officer.

According to Eye on Cherokee, Insinga was interviewing protesters and counterprotesters when a man, later identified as a family member of the police officer involved in the shooting, confronted and attacked him.

In a video posted to Facebook, Insinga said he approached the man and his group after hearing cursing and commotion. The man told him, “You do not hear what I have to say.” Insinga replied that he did.

The man then called him a vulgar term and slapped his microphone, according to the video. “I’m telling you, you best go some fucking where,” the man said before grabbing the microphone again, breaking it and throwing it.

According to Eye on Cherokee, the man damaged Insinga’s camera, destroyed his microphone and threw a heavy piece of metal that struck the reporter in the face. Another video posted by the outlet showed the man visibly angry, yelling obscenities at Insinga as people nearby tried to restrain him.

In a livestream video afterward, Insinga filmed deputies speaking with the man and others in his group. He said somebody in the group had also tried to run him over with a car.

Later, counterprotesters followed Insinga to his car, Eye on Cherokee reported. The journalist returned to the protest and then asked deputies to escort him back to his vehicle. About a mile into his drive, his tire went flat.

After taking his car to a technician, Insinga learned the tire had been punctured by “an object such as a pick or screwdriver.” It remains unclear who damaged the tire, though Insinga said the timing concerned him because it followed the confrontation and alleged pursuit.

Stephen Chad Garner was arrested in connection with the confrontation and faces a charge of disorderly conduct. A deputy at the scene said additional charges could follow.

In the later video, Insinga said the attack was unprovoked.

“I put myself out there as a newsman, and these things can happen,” he said, explaining that journalists are trained to create distance and avoid antagonizing people while seeking statements. “As journalists, we never try to become the news; we only cover the news.”

Eye on Cherokee said it would continue covering the HeeHaw story.

“You don’t have to agree with us. You don’t have to talk to us. But you do not get to attack us because you don’t like the questions,” the outlet wrote.