As seen on video, a man punched the phone out of the hand of a person who was recording him. Minnesota CBS affiliate WCCO said that this individual was a Trump supporter, and he was attacking their photojournalist Dymanh Chhoun. This happened on Wednesday before President Donald Trump was scheduled to hold a rally in Duluth.
“You guys want to be peaceful?” said the older man. “Be peaceful. You want to be violent? Come to me, and I’ll–” He then wound up, and struck the camera.
As seen on video, the phone–which had been recording the incident–was picked up again. Another older man with a beard and baseball cap approached the person recording the video; he stopped and held up a Trump campaign sign to cover up his face.
I am outraged by this violent attack on my @wcco colleague,friend &photojournalist @Dymanh in Duluth- I am so thankful he was not hurt. The venom must stop, our photojournalists are our truest storytellers &this video tells an important,sad & terrifying one. Thx Dymanh pic.twitter.com/9caREau3HS
— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) October 1, 2020
Chhoun had been gathering footage, WCCO said. They described the Trump supporter as confronting supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. Chhoun identified himself as a member of the media recording the incident in a public space, WCCO said, adding that the group involved backed off.
WCCO said the attack was reported to police. Law enforcement said they are investigating.
“On 9/30/2020 shortly before 6:00 PM, Duluth police officers took the report of a disturbance in the area of Airport Road and Venture Ave in Duluth, MN,” cops said in a news release to Law&Crime. “A male reported that while recording footage on his phone for a news report, another male hit the phone out of the reporting party’s hand. The male who hit the phone left without incident several minutes before this event was reported to officers. There were no injuries or property damage reported in connection with this incident and no citations issued at this time. The Duluth Police Department is investigating this case. If you have any information, please report it by calling 218-730-5020.”
Thread 1/6: By now you’ve probably seen that @WCCO photojournalist @Dymanh was attacked by this knucklehead Wednesday in Duluth, covering activity near a campaign rally for President Trump.
I was the one who assigned him to this story & he agreed without hesitation, as always. pic.twitter.com/3LH4pViz1t
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
WCCO assignment editor Guy Still said in a Twitter thread that Chhoun is often the first to volunteer for breaking news or chaotic situations.
“He does this not for glory or notoriety, but out of a sense of duty and a commitment to share the stories which are challenging to cover,” he said.
6/6: He’s also done family photos for me & others, and is just as much at home making kids smile as he is de-escalating tense situations.
I take personal exception when anyone puts my guy in danger.
You want to see a true American patriot? Look no further. Thank you Dymanh. pic.twitter.com/Mj7BIAHtTN
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
Update – October 1, 1:00 p.m.: We added a new statement from Duluth police.
[Screengrab via Chhoun / WCCO]
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