News Crew Attacked, Called Slurs While Working Near Adler Planetarium: Reports

CHICAGO — A reporter and photographer for CBS News Chicago were attacked, with their property damaged, while on assignment Monday afternoon near the Adler Planetarium, according to police and CBS News.

The incident occurred around 4:25 p.m. in the 900 block of East Solidarity Drive, police said.

The two victims were standing on the sidewalk when they were approached by multiple males who exited a white truck, according to police. One of the males yelled slurs and directed a dog to attack one of the victims, a 54-year-old man, police said. When the dog did not attack, the male became irate and damaged the victim’s property, throwing it on the ground, police said. The males returned to the truck and fled, according to police.

The reporter and photographer had been preparing to go live for the 4 p.m. newscast, according to CBS News, which reported that the slurs were racial in nature and that the attackers smashed a camera and the windshield of a news truck.

"We are shocked and horrified by this crime and we are grateful that our journalists are safe,” a CBS spokesperson told the outlet in a statement.

No one was hurt and the incident is under investigation, according to police.