WABC reporter Tim Fleischer punched by stranger in New York City - U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

WABC reporter Tim Fleischer punched by stranger in New York City

April 10, 2018

Tim Fleischer, a reporter for WABC’s Eyewitness News, was punched in the face by a stranger while he was conducting in an interview in Queens, New York, on April 10, 2018.
According to the New York Daily News, Fleischer was filming a segment in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, when a man ran up to him and socked him in the face around noon.

The man was arrested soon after the attack and charged with assault and harassment. Fleischer was taken to a local hospital received medical treatment for a minor injury.

Fleischer later tweeted about the attack.

Overwhelmed! @TimFleischer7 can’t believe the outpouring of concerns, very kind comments and well wishes from each of you Many many thanks Feeling better today Can’t wait to get back to the streets of #nyc #abc7ny
— Tim Fleischer (@TimFleischer7) April 11, 2018

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Date of Incident	April 10, 2018
Targets	Tim Fleischer
Affiliation	WABC
Location	Queens, New York
Last Updated	April 27, 2018
Assailant	Private individual
Was the journalist targeted?	No

How we track Physical Attacks

Journalists who face physical violence and injury or equipment damage, either as the result of a targeted attack by a public or private individual or in the course of their work. If a journalist is hit by rubber bullets or bean bag rounds, it will be counted in this category.

Journalists affected by tear gas, pepper spray, or other mass riot control agents will be counted if the individual suffers serious injury or appears to have been specifically targeted. Incidents that fall outside these parameters and in which multiple journalists were affected by riot control agents may be counted in the “other” category.

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