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TV Reporter Attacked

By Jamie Burch

The family of a murder victim attacks a TV reporter who works for News 5's sister station in Spartanburg, South Carolina. TV Reporter Attacked

Published: Wed, March 12, 2008 - 6:17 pm Last Updated: Wed, March 12, 2008 - 6:38 pm

A South Carolina man is charged with the murder of his grandfather. Police in Union County say Michael Howell killed 73-year-old Tommy Howell Monday night during an argument. But it's what happened before Howell's arrest that drew the most attention from neighbors.

Members of the victim's family attacked WSPA reporter Charmayne Brown. WSPA is owned by Media General, the parent company of WKRG News 5.

Brown and her photographer, Ti Barnes, were across the street from the victim's house Tuesday when family members began yelling at them to leave. Brown says they were also yelling racial slurs at her and Barnes. Before she knew it, one of the women in the group rushed at Brown, punched her and dragged her to the ground.

Brown says at that point, it's hard for her to recall what was going on. But a photographer from another TV station caught the chaos on camera. WSPA's Satellite truck operator also saw the woman punching Brown and called 911.

Brown says at least two other people joined in on the attack. "I just had to try to defend myself. People were coming from everywhere. It was an uneasy situation for the both of us, trying to fight off a mob attacking us."

Her photographer tried to pull them off of her. "We weren't there harassing anybody," Barnes said. "We were there to find the facts."

Police arrested four people involved in the attack. WSPA says Brown and Barnes are doing ok.

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asda Says:

Mon, Apr 07, 2008 at 11:47 am

Was this the Harris Family? ...................LOL

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southfan1981 Says:

Mon, Apr 07, 2008 at 11:15 am

Bunch of crackers..

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southfan1981 Says:

Mon, Apr 07, 2008 at 11:11 am

There is what appears to be a young girl attacking her too. That’s really scary when you bring your kids into it.

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carl Says:

Mon, Apr 07, 2008 at 9:22 am

This probably is a good example of mob mentality,when people do things they normally wouldn’t do, if by them selves.People caught up in the emotions of an event usually have a difficult time making the right decisions and being in a group makes the wrong decisions easier to accept and their up bringing plays a part also.I imagine this reporter has learned a thing or two about how to handle a situation such as this in the future.Maybe this event should be called"WHEN A BAD SITUATION GETS WORST” or as kenny sings"you gotta know when to walk away or when to run”.

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Tira Says:

Mon, Apr 07, 2008 at 8:53 am

What gets me, is the young man in the background, who is using his phone to take pictures, instead of helping.

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