Media Crew Attacked
CBS Chicago Crew Attacked Near Adler Planetarium; Suspects Arrested After Police Chase, Equipment Damaged
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Key Points
1
An attack attempt involved a dog being directed toward the CBS News Chicago crew by suspects; the dog did not attack, but one of the suspects became irate and damaged the victim's property.
2
Three people were arrested in Brighton Park after a police pursuit connected to the incident near Adler Planetarium.
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The CBS live truck windshield was smashed and camera equipment was damaged, with gear left on the ground and an evidence marker nearby.
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The incident occurred in the 900 block of East Solidarity Drive near Adler Planetarium, with timing around 4:25 to 4:30 p.m. and subsequent pursuit ending in Brighton Park.
A CBS News Chicago reporter and photographer were attacked near Adler Planetarium on Monday afternoon while setting up for a live shot. Suspects in a white truck shouted racial slurs, directed a dog at the photographer, smashed camera equipment, and caved in the live truck's windshield, according to CBS Chicago and NY Post.
Police pursued the white truck across the city and arrested three people in Brighton Park around 5:30 p.m. No injuries were reported. CBS News Chicago VP and General Manager Jennifer Lyons said the station was "shocked and horrified by this crime" and expressed relief that the journalists were safe, NewsNation reported.
Dog Directed at Crew, Equipment Smashed on Solidarity Drive
The attack unfolded around 4:25 p.m. on the 900 block of East Solidarity Drive. Several men got out of a white truck and began yelling racial slurs at the crew, according to Patch. One suspect then directed a dog — described as a pit bull or bully breed — toward the photographer. The dog did not bite.
When the dog failed to engage, the suspect became irate and hurled the photographer's professional camera to the ground. A second suspect then smashed the windshield of the CBS live truck. Professional TV cameras of this type typically cost between $30,000 and $50,000. The crew retreated safely. Head Topics confirmed the crew was preparing for a live 4 p.m. newscast at the time.
Police Chase Ends in Brighton Park with Three Arrests
Chicago Police used surveillance cameras and radio to track the white truck after the attack. Officers initiated a pursuit that moved from the Museum Campus through the Little Village and Brighton Park neighborhoods. The chase ended near the 3800 block of South Archer Avenue, NY Post reported.
Three people were arrested around 5:30 p.m. During the chase, a suspect reportedly pointed a firearm at another person. No injuries were reported from that incident. A CPD spokesperson confirmed: "One of the offenders directed a dog to attack... when the dog did not attack, the male offender became irate and damaged the victim's property." Formal charging documents are expected within 24 to 48 hours.
Hate Crime Charges Possible Given Racial Slurs Hurled at Crew
The suspects shouted racial slurs at the journalists before and during the attack, multiple outlets confirmed. Under Illinois law, proven use of racial slurs tied to a crime can trigger hate crime enhancements, adding serious prison time to base charges. If body cameras on responding officers or the live truck's dashcam captured the slurs, prosecutors will have strong evidence, according to NewsNation.
The 54-year-old photographer and the reporter have declined public comment for safety reasons. CBS Chicago management confirmed both journalists are unharmed. Investigators are still reviewing evidence as the case remains open, Yahoo News reported.
Chicago News Crews Have Faced a String of On-Duty Attacks
This attack fits a troubling pattern. In August 2023, a CBS Chicago crew and a Univision crew were each robbed at gunpoint while on assignment. In September 2025, CBS reporter Asal Rezaei was struck by a pepper ball fired by a masked ICE agent near a federal facility and suffered chemical burns. In February 2026, a reporter was targeted in a violent carjacking attempt in the Loop.
The Adler Planetarium area had long been seen as one of the safer spots for media crews — a scenic lakefront location with heavy tourist traffic. Monday's brazen 4:30 p.m. attack is expected to push Chicago newsrooms to require private security for all outdoor shoots, regardless of location, ahead of July 4th events on the Museum Campus, Patch noted.
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