The Desk appreciates the support of readers who purchase products or services through links on our website. Learn more...

San Francisco news crews robbed during morning report

A pair of television news crews were robbed at gunpoint while reporting on an overnight shooting at a pier in San Francisco. The incident happened just after 6 a.m. when three armed men ambushed a KNTV (Channel 11) news crew.

A partial image of a man suspected of attacking two television news crews in San Francisco on Thursday. (Photo: KTVU/Handout)
A partial image of a man suspected of attacking two television news crews in San Francisco on Thursday. (Photo: KTVU/Handout)

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, KNTV cameraman Alan Waples was adjusting the lighting for reporter Kris Sanchez when one of the men pressed a gun to the photographer’s head. Waples was pistol-whipped by the attacker before the men made off with KNTV’s camera equipment, the Chronicle said.

Audio from the incident was broadcast live on KTVU’s (Channel 2) morning news program. Reporter Cara Liu was readying a live report from the pier when the attack happened.

“Hold on, hold on, wait,” she said before disappearing from the camera’s view.

Off-camera, KTVU’s photographer Keith Crook rushed to the aid of the assaulted KNTV crew. One of the attackers pointed a gun at Crook and made off with camera equipment from that station as well. KTVU managed to grab a partial image of the attacker.

The three men fled in a late-model BMW with no license plates, the Chronicle said. The incident was the latest involving television news crews being assaulted and robbed in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Photo of author

About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is an award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering the business of television and radio broadcasting, streaming services and the overall media industry. In addition to his work as publisher of The Desk, Matthew contributes regularly to StreamTV Insider and KnowTechie, and has worked for several well-known news organizations, including Thomson Reuters, McNaughton Newspapers, Grasswire, Comstock's magazine, KTXL-TV and KGO-TV. Matthew is a member of IRE, a trade organization for investigative reporters and editors, and is based in Northern California.

Email: [email protected] | Signal: 530-507-8380