Reporter Attacked On Air While Livestreaming Report On Mass Overdose

In a harrowing moment captured on live video, a female reporter was attacked on air while livestreaming from the scene of what authorities say was a "mass overdose incident" on Saturday.
KRCR News Channel 7 of Chico, California was on the scene covering developments in an alleged mass fentanyl overdose that resulted in what authorities say were a dozen people ages 19 to 30 being rushed to the hospital Saturday.
One of the victims died, said Chico Police Chief Mike O'Brien, and two officers were reportedly also injured as a result of exposure to fentanyl.
In an alarming incident livestreamed on Facebook, KRCR's Meaghan Mackey was reporting outside the home where the mass overdose took place, when things quickly got out of hand — as the video posted by CBS Sacramento shows.
In the video, someone can be heard saying, "This is disrespectful, do you understand that?" Suddenly, the news camera appears to be hit, then drops to the ground, while a female — presumably Mackey — begins to scream. "Get the [inaudible] out of here!" someone yells.
Watch CBS's report on the incident below:
CBS reports that law enforcement officers, who were stationed nearby, were able to quickly stop the attack on Mackey, who was "shaken up" but "okay," KRCR said in a tweet.
"As many of you know, our reporter Meaghan Mackey was attacked while at the scene of a mass overdose in Chico tonight," the news channel tweeted. "Meaghan is very shaken up but is okay. We are thankful law enforcement was right there and handled the situation quickly. We appreciate all your kind words."
Mackey also issued her own follow-up statement in a series of tweets. "Official Statement: As many of you know, I was attacked and assaulted at the scene of a mass overdose in Chico, California last night. I was doing my job, reporting the facts on a major incident during a Facebook live for my news station @KRCR7," she wrote.
"I am thankful for the quick response from law enforcement. I am also very appreciative of all the support I’ve received from colleagues, viewers, friends and family. I am still shaken up, but am doing okay. I stand with all journalists working in defense of the truth," she continued. "Thank you to anyone who has reached out or expressed their concerns. I appreciate your kind words of support. I will not live in fear of doing my job. I value the freedom of the press & will continue to report on the truth and inform the public, even during times of tragedy."
KRCR has continued to report on the alarming overdose incident, including to note that seven of the injured people were still in the hospital Sunday night and that the man who died of an overdose has since been identified.
"The Butte County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who died in a 'mass overdose incident' in Chico Saturday as Aris Turner, 34, from Chico," the channel reported Sunday.
On Monday, the outlet provided another update: authorities "are investigating the possible connection between the mass overdose in Chico Saturday and an overdose incident at Gold Country Casino this morning."
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