Denver, CO — Tensions escalated dramatically during recent events in downtown Denver as a news reporter found himself in the line of fire — literally. In a shocking incident, a member of the press had their professional video camera struck by a police projectile, damaging the equipment and raising new concerns about press freedom and safety.
The scene, captured shortly after the impact, shows the reporter crouched beside the damaged gear, visibly assessing the aftermath. The lens hood of the JVC camera appears to be pierced or cracked, and other connected accessories were also affected.
The reporter, who was wearing a press credential around his neck and carrying a backpack likely filled with broadcasting equipment, was apparently covering a public demonstration or protest near a government building when the incident occurred. According to eyewitnesses, law enforcement deployed less-lethal munitions to disperse the crowd, and the journalist was unintentionally (or possibly intentionally) hit in the process.
A Growing Pattern
This incident is part of a broader trend of journalists facing physical danger while reporting on civil unrest in the United States. Press advocacy organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the repeated use of force against clearly identified members of the media.
“This kind of targeting — whether deliberate or due to reckless policing — is a threat to democracy,” said a spokesperson from the CPJ. “Journalists must be allowed to report freely and safely.”
Calls for Accountability
Civil rights groups and media watchdogs are demanding a full investigation into the incident and stronger protections for journalists covering high-risk events. They emphasize that freedom of the press is protected under the First Amendment, and any violation of that principle must be treated with urgency.
As of now, the Denver Police Department has not issued an official statement about the incident.
