CBS Chicago news crew attacked near Adler Planetarium
A CBS News Chicago reporter and photographer were attacked by multiple men in a white truck near the Adler Planetarium on Monday while preparing a live broadcast. Police say racial slurs were yelled, a dog was ordered to attack the crew, and news equipment was destroyed. Three suspects were arrested in Brighton Park shortly afterward.
The confrontation happened around 4:25 p.m. in the 900 block of East Solidarity Drive on Chicago's Museum Campus—a popular stretch of lakefront visited by tourists and families year-round. The journalists were on the sidewalk setting up gear for the station's 4 p.m. newscast when the men approached.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple men in a white truck confronted a CBS News Chicago reporter and photographer near the Adler Planetarium on Monday afternoon.
- Police said racial slurs were yelled and a dog was ordered to attack a 54-year-old crew member; the dog did not bite anyone.
- The crew's camera and news truck windshield were smashed, but neither journalist was physically injured.
- Chicago police arrested three people in Brighton Park after a pursuit and recovered a rifle; names and charges had not been released.
What happened to the CBS Chicago news crew?
According to Chicago police and CBS News Chicago, the men exited a white truck and rushed toward the crew as they prepared to go live. One suspect yelled racial slurs and told a dog to attack a 54-year-old member of the news team, police said.
When the dog did not attack, one of the men became angry and threw the crew's camera equipment to the ground, damaging it. Another man smashed the windshield of the CBS live truck, ABC7 Chicago reported. Witnesses described the episode as racially motivated, CBS said.
Images from the scene Monday evening showed the truck still parked on Solidarity Drive with its windshield shattered. A camera and tripod sat nearby inside police tape, according to ABC7.
Who was arrested after the Museum Campus attack?
Chicago police arrested three people after chasing the white truck to West 36th Street and South California Avenue in Brighton Park, FOX 32 Chicago reported. Alderwoman Julia Ramirez confirmed the arrests in her 12th Ward.
Police also recovered a rifle during the pursuit, FOX 32 said. CBS News Chicago reported that the same three people in the same truck had pointed weapons at people in Brighton Park before officers took them into custody.
Authorities had not released the names of those arrested or announced formal charges. The investigation remained open, according to CBS and police.
Were the journalists injured in the attack?
No. Both the reporter and photographer escaped physically unharmed, according to police and the station. The crew was able to get away from the confrontation without being bitten by the dog.
Despite the lack of injuries, the attack left broadcast equipment damaged and interrupted a live shot planned for a major local newscast on one of Chicago's busiest tourist corridors.
What did CBS Chicago say about the incident?
In a statement Monday night, a CBS spokesperson said: "We are shocked and horrified by this crime and we are grateful that our journalists are safe."
ABC7 reported that CBS2 Chicago issued that statement while the live truck remained on Solidarity Drive with a shattered windshield and the crew's damaged camera gear sat nearby in police tape.
The case adds to a string of unusual violent encounters covered in our Bizarre News & Florida Man section, though this attack unfolded far from the Sunshine State on one of Chicago's signature waterfront landmarks.
This is a developing story. Police and prosecutors may release additional details as the investigation continues.