A Los Angeles radio reporter was charged with suspicion of obstruction of justice while covering a story Saturday.
The incident occurred at the St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California, where two deputies had been transported for gunshot wounds to the head while sitting in their patrol car.
Josie Huang, Reporter for Los Angeles NPR station KPCC, was thrown to the ground by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies and handcuffed.
The entire incident was captured on video.
Huang sustained minor injuries including bruises and a black eye. She was released from jail without bail around 4:00 a.m., according to The Wrap.
Los Angeles Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has since asked the Inspector General to investigate the Sheriff’s arrest of Huang.
“Somehow I was able to start a new video right away,” Huang Tweeted. “You see my phone clatter to the ground and I start shouting “I’m a reporter…I’m with KPCC.” I scream for help from the TV reporters I know are around the corner doing their 11 p.m. live hits.”
Huang had just covered a Sheriff’s Department press briefing when a small group of protesters gathered at the ambulance entrance of the hospital.
“These are challenging and stressful times for everyone, but Josie Huang was arrested while doing her job. The charges should be dropped,” KPCC said in a statement. “Her arrest is the latest in a series of troubling interactions between our reporters and some local law enforcement officers. Journalists provide an essential service, providing fair, accurate and timely journalism and without them, our democracy is at risk.”
The suspect who shot the deputies, is still at large.
