Josie Huang, a reporter for the Los Angeles radio station KPCC and news site LAist, was arrested on Saturday night while she was covering the shooting of two sheriff’s deputies in Compton, Calif.
The arrest occurred outside the St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, Calif., where the two deputies were being treated for gunshot wounds after they were shot by a gunman earlier that night. Protesters had gathered outside the hospital, where there was a “tense situation developing,” Huang wrote in a tweet before her arrest.
Hi folks, I was trying to send this tweet before I was arrested and the video apparently just uploaded now.
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) September 13, 2020
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Twitter account, protesters were blocking the entrance to the hospital, and police officers ordered them to disperse because they were an “unlawful assembly.” Officers arrested Huang and a male protester for obstruction, and claimed Huang did not identify herself as a member of the press or have proper credentials.
“The female adult, who was later identified as a member of the press, did not identify herself as press and later admitted she did not have proper press credentials on her person,” the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department tweeted.
(3/3) The female adult, who was later identified as a member of the press, did not identify herself as press and later admitted she did not have proper press credentials on her person. Both individuals have been arrested for 148 P.C.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
However, in a video from Los Angeles news station ABC 7, Huang’s press badge is clearly hanging from her neck during her arrest. In the video, five officers pinned Huang to the ground, handcuffed her and led her to a police car.
ABC7 showing video of radio reporter being taken down to the pavement by officers, handcuffed and led to a patrol car outside of hospital where two #LA County deputies shot in ambush are being treated @LASDHQ #crime #SoCal pic.twitter.com/rTg1UdeDKA
— Scott Schwebke (@TheChalkOutline) September 13, 2020
Huang was taken to the Century Regional Detention Center and was released at 4 a.m. on Sunday without bail, according to the LAist. She was cited with an obstruction charge.
“We offer condolences to the two sheriff deputies who were shot Saturday evening. These are challenging and stressful times for everyone, but Josie Huang was arrested while doing her job. The charges should be dropped. 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,” KPCC said in a statement.
Both President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden condemned the shooting.
Animals that must be hit hard! https://t.co/zrOd9ZUl8o
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2020
If they die, fast trial death penalty for the killer. Only way to stop this! https://t.co/K3sKh28GjX
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2020
This cold-blooded shooting is unconscionable and the perpetrator must be brought to justice.
Violence of any kind is wrong; those who commit it should be caught and punished.
Jill and I are keeping the deputies and their loved ones in our hearts and praying for a full recovery. https://t.co/330QfeIUGg
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 13, 2020