KPIX reporter Joe Vazquez and videographer John Anglin were covering teacher protests in Oakland, CA when they were attacked, robbed and shot at, but were able to escape the incident unharmed.
That wasn’t the case for their security guard Matt Meredith, a retired law enforcement officer hired by the station, who was shot in the leg.
The crew had their camera equipment stolen at gunpoint on Sunday, February 24 at around 5 pm. One of the suspects opened fire, injuring the security guard and leading to a shootout and subsequent police chase. According to police, the security guard one of the suspects several times.
“John abandoned the camera, took cover inside the news van where I was and told me to get down. We heard a flurry of loud gunshots. Very close! More shots, I saw a guy drag the camera away and saw our guard Matt was hit. Quickly called 9-1-1,” Vazquez shared on Twitter about their harrowing experience.
Police found and arrested two suspects, who were charged with several felonies yesterday, including two counts of second-degree robbery, various gun charges and two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Both men are currently in jail. Prosecutors also charged a woman with receiving stolen property connected to the robbery.
Vazquez also shared video of the aftermath, including EMTs treating the security guard, as well as details of what happened in their own words.
John abandoned the camera, took cover inside the news van where I was and told me to get down. We heard a flurry of loud gunshots. Very close! More shots, I saw a guy drag the camera away and saw our guard Matt was hit. Quickly called 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/spinXPTiAC
— Joe Vazquez (@joenewsman) February 25, 2019
