Cable news broke from politics to cover violent protests in the streets of Charlotte as protesters and police squared off following the fatal police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott.
On CNN, correspondent Ed Lavandera was attacked by someone who forced their way into Lavandera’s liveshot. CNN’s Boris Sanchez reported later that Lavandera was not hurt.
Lavender told CNN’s Don Lemon “I didn’t see it coming … all I heard was someone yelling at me that I need to tell the truth and next thing you know, I got kind of blindsided.”
“He came up to me and actually hugged me and apologized for what he had done,” Lavandera said. “I asked him what made him so angry. He couldn’t really explain anything.”
LIVE VIDEO: CNN reporter hit by rioters. #Charlotte pic.twitter.com/L5bZ9v7Qla
— TheAnonMessage 🌐 (@TheAnonnMessage) September 22, 2016
CNN’s Sanchez was later overcome by teargas and pepper spray as he attempted to describe the scene, backing away and ultimately throwing it back to Anderson Cooper when he became unable to speak.
On Fox News, Charlotte police confirmed at least one fatal shooting Wednesday night, as cameras caught people looting downtown businesses. The network’s planned Hannity town hall with Donald Trump was postponed, and will air Thursday night.
With the situation in Charlotte seemingly out of control, cable networks made plans to stick with the story into the night. MSNBC began rolling coverage at 8:45 p.m., and turned to Brian Williams to anchor the network’s reporting past midnight.
UPDATE: 11:08 p.m. ET CNN reports police have said reports a man was shot and killed were erroneous, and that the person shot is in critical condition.
CORRECTION UPDATE: Civilian who suffered gunshot wound during protests is on life support, critical condition. Not deceased.
— City of Charlotte (@CLTgov) September 22, 2016