Forum
|
KATU photographer attacked, incident caught on camera
By Mitch Nolan — Wednesday, October 14, 2009; 8:24 pm
One man has been arrested after attacking KATU photographer Bob Bullock in an incident that was caught on camera. Bullock was injured while shooting weather video outside Laurelhurst School in Southeast Portland. In video clips cut by KATU, a man later identified as Peter Fournier is seen approaching Bullock and pressing his back against the camera, blocking its view. Fournier calls Bullock a "loser reporter," preceded by expletives deleted by KATU. Fournier then takes a couple of swipes at the camera. The video jumps to a brief scene of struggle as Fournier looks down, appearing to have his hands on the camera and possibly the photographer, accompanied by sounds of distress. In KATU's report, Bullock says the man initially told him that he shouldn't be shooting video of children. Later, he ripped the camera's viewfinder off. Fournier was arrested for assault, malicious mischief and impersonating an officer, according to KATU. Bullock reported bruised ribs and a cut up hand. Fournier had previously been excluded from Laurelhurst Park for using a stun gun on a minor, according to police records obtained by KATU. Fournier admitted at the time that "there was a question as to whether I had exceeded my authority." We've asked KATU if they will release more video of the incident. The clips posted online come with a disclosure that they were edited for brevity. Watch KATU's on-air report after the jump: Comments
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 4:44 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Mistake in your storyYou say "Bullock admitted at the time that 'there was a question as to whether I had exceeded my authority.'" That is incorrect. It should be "Fournier admitted...".
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 8:30 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Lead story?Why on earth was this the lead story on the 5 o'clock news?
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 9:11 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Why not?People make waaaaaaaay too big a deal on what is a station's lead story. Here you have an assault and Tilken did an excellent job digging into the background of this creep. Great video, interesting story, good background.. I'd have led with it in a heartbeat... and I don't work at KATU. Well done guys.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 9:15 am — SCJ (not verified)
Because...there is world peace, all children are going to school having had a full and nutritious meal and all kittens are sleeping comfortably. Nothing else to report.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 8:37 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Photog beaten while shooting weatherCheck this video out. Safety first.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 9:33 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
If onlyIf only KATU spent half as much time reporting and investigating other stories as they did on this self-serving story, they could do some real journalism.
(view hidden comment) Fournier reminds me of a pedophile by EvilBanker (not verified)
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 10:06 am — PDXGFX
Oh man, heal quickly Bob.With the way things have been, especially for solo cameramen and reporters it may benefit KATU to enlist folks in self defense classes. Sorry this happened to a good guy like Bob. When I worked at the deuce Bob was a fun guy to work with. -PDXGFX
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 10:20 am — RANZ (not verified)
FournierDoesn't the Portland Police Bureau have a similar policy and tactic when they are being filmed? I'm sure Rosie will call this guy to recruit him!
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 10:22 am — Teletype (not verified)
ScaryI've also had to deal occasionally with threatening and confrontational people while reporting a story. It's no fun.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 10:25 am — Zamboni
Lead, schmead - how is this not a story?A guy who has been thrown out of a park for tasering a kid. A guy who flashes a badge to imply he has authority. A guy now facing multiple criminal charges. Oh yeah, and some pretty amazing video. Seems to me KATU performed a public service for the rest of us. Do you want to forget to signal before changing lanes in front of this guy?
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 9:05 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Attack on KATU reporter at Laurelhurst ElementaryA man who was previously kicked out of the city park down the street for using a stun gun on a juvenile while impersonating a police officer assaulted a tv news cameraman while impersonating a police officer in front of my child's school - why didn't I get told this before I saw it online? Why is this whackjob - impersonates cops and assaults juveniles - hanging out in front of my kid's elementary school?! Personally, I'm glad to know about this!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009; 8:35 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
He hangs out there becauseHe hangs out there because his kids go to school at Laurelhurst. He lives in the Laurelhurst neighborhood, and since he moved in a couple years ago has been nothing but a nuisance to the entire east side community. I really hope he gets time for this and hopefully finds another neighborhood far away to occupy once he is released. This is a great story for me to see, because for years I have been sitting back watching this man create total chaos in a peaceful neighborhood for his own pleasure, as well as fulfilling his excessive needs to act like an ass clown. Finally, he has gone too far and we can all watch as this insane man gets what he deserves. I feel so bad for his kids however who are being raised in this nut house he is running.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 10:44 am — Typer (not verified)
Tasers a kid who he called aTasers a kid who he called a suspect? Wow. I'm curious to learn how much "flair" photogs wear to identify themselves as station personnel these days? Same goes for camera badging. With professional video cameras becoming so small these days, someone not familiar with them might mistake it for a consumer model and the person behind the lens not a broadcast professional, but somebody taping (funny Bullock still calls it 'filming') kids for questionable purposes. Still doesn't justify an assault in any way though.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 12:05 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
It's taping but not filming?It's taping but not filming? What do the different stations use? Videotape, DV tape, flash storage?
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 2:19 pm — Tony (not verified)
The camera isn't like aThe camera isn't like a personal/consumer grade video camera at all. The camera is around two feel long. Watch the video, the cameraman has the video camera in his lap when he shows the damage that was done to it.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 11:10 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Prior Contact?Couldn't this whole thing have been avoided with a quick heads-up call to the school office to let them know what KATU was planning? And, as was mentioned above, a bit more KATU flair would have helped? That said, the story was worthy of the attention it got. I am a neighbor of the guy and he really needs to be reined in (e.g., jail might be a good idea). Keep in mind this is when kids were arriving at school, so the whole incident was not just man vs. cameraman - it was wacko vs. cameraman in front of tons of kids and parents, all resulting in cops being called in, ambulance rides, and other fun stuff.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 12:03 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
The guy does call him aThe guy does call him a "loser reporter," so he knows he's with a news station, regardless of whether he wore anything to indicate that. And this guy has nothing to do with the school, so calling ahead would have done nothing. Also, judging by where his hand is when he's on top of the camera and moving it, the camera isn't that small. There was also a tripod involved, which anyone can get, but it requires some setup and take-down time and creates some prominence that someone doing something wrong probably wouldn't bother with.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 1:00 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
He identified himselfBeing an insider, Bob did in fact identify himself to this guy after being asked, "What are you doing?". Bob stated that he was with Channel 2 and shooting people dealing with the rainy weather. It was then that he replied back that, "Channel 2 sucks."' I guess he watches KGW.
Sunday, October 18, 2009; 9:59 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Actually, "this guy" is aActually, "this guy" is a parent at the school, and checked with the office before confronting the cameraman. This is from the principal's e-mail to parents: "Shortly before 8 a.m., one of our parents reported to the front office that a man in an unmarked van was parked across from the school, apparently video-taping our students as they arrived. We called the police non-emergency number and asked for an officer to come and assess the situation. Meanwhile, the parent confronted the cameraman. An altercation followed, 911 was called and police officers arrived promptly. An ambulance and fire personnel also came to tend to possible medical needs. As it turned out, the cameraman had been assigned by a local news station for a story about the blustery weather." KATU's story did not include the fact that the school had called police, that the original confrontation was not shown and that there were children present. That was unbalanced at best. There also seems to be an abundance of "this was legal - it was a public sidewalk" and an explanation from the anchor about why there was videoing at all. Someone doth protest too much. Also, showing the guy's house and address on the air is beyond the pale. I'm glad he was arrested, but media folks should be informing schools whenever they involve them in anything. There are students in the school with what are called "publicity denials" - because they are in hiding from abusive and/or dangerous situations. Calling or stopping in at the Laurelhurst office probably would have prevented this assault. And it was the right thing to do.
Sunday, October 25, 2009; 1:48 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
"Publicity Denial" doesn't matterA "publicity denial" doesn't matter when they're outside, visible from a public place, like a sidewalk, which the photographer was standing on. TV stations do this sort of thing everyday, and believe me, at most stations, there is absolutely no time to be calling ahead every time we shoot something. We wouldn't get the newscasts on air.
Friday, December 11, 2009; 10:00 am — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Oh, I see. You're too busyOh, I see. You're too busy and too important for common courtesy. And your busyness means kids' safety "doesn't matter". This was not news - it was B-roll for "storm team promos". One phone call. Would have prevented. The Whole Thing. And stop with "legal because it's on a public sidewalk" argument. We know it's legal. But it was done wrong.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 5:31 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Not to worry...You'll have a new neighbor soon enough, after the photog wins the house in the civil suit.
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 1:30 pm — SCJ (not verified)
Congrats
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 2:23 pm — Mitch Nolan
LinksYeah, I'm getting links from all over the place. My biggest traffic driver so far is, surprisingly, a French-langauge Canadian radio show. Merci, Gilles Parent, Son Équipe et FM93!
Thursday, October 15, 2009; 3:06 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
Our demoThat's why I enjoy working at Fox-12. Guys like that love us!
Friday, October 16, 2009; 9:36 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
One problemThe anchor disclaimer says the video was being shot for a promo - of parents dropping off kids - news is one thing, promos are another.
Sunday, October 18, 2009; 1:16 pm — Mitch Nolan
I deleted my first non-spam commentIf someone needs Fournier's address and phone number, they can Google it.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009; 6:34 am — inan (not verified)
SaftyI have been a photojournalist since moses parted the red sea. I believe at anytime we can be attack by the many peoples we serve.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009; 5:02 pm — Anonymous Source (not verified)
This guy wins dickhead of theThis guy wins dickhead of the year. Post new comment |
Twitter WireFollow @oregonmedia for more updates. Jobs Forum
Keep Us PublishingOMC depends on donors to make ends meet. If you enjoy our site, consider a contribution: Thank you for making this site possible! (To donate with Amazon or Google Checkout instead, contact us!) Oregon Media FinanceQuotes may be delayed. |
Comments