MLive photographer among journalists fired upon with pellets by Detroit police officer during protest coverage

DETROIT, MI – An MLive photographer was among three journalists hit by pellets fired at them by a Detroit police officer on Saturday, while they were documenting the protests against police brutality in the city.

Nicole Hester was hit by as many as a dozen pellets in her face and body, leaving welts and narrowly missing an eye. She was with freelance photographer Seth Herald, who was working for AFP, and Matt Hatcher, who was shooting for Getty Images.

John Hiner, vice president of content for MLive Media Group, said it is “outrageous that a police officer fired on working journalists who were doing their jobs."

“Journalists have a right and an obligation to be on the scene of breaking news, without being targeted. These journalists had credentials, identified themselves and were not posing any threat. We are demanding a full investigation of this unprovoked attack, and assurances that journalists can do their jobs without threat or harassment.”

A spokesperson for the Detroit Police Department told MLive they were not aware of the incident, but they would investigate the matter once a complaint is filed.

Hester said the photographers had been stopped by police on their way back to their parked car near Kennedy Square, around midnight and after protestors had largely dispersed. The three photographers had spent the better part of two evenings covering protests across the streets of Detroit spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Hester recounted that as the journalists approached a corner, they came upon at least two officers.

“We were just trying to leave the scene,” she said. “We weren’t doing anything. We weren’t charging at them.”

Herald said the group of photographers asked the police they encountered if they could cross the street. The photographers put up their hands, identified themselves as press, and had their camera gear around their necks.

Herald said it appeared to the journalists that the police motioned them to pass through. As they began to move forward, one of the police officers fired from 15 to 20 feet away. “That can kill a person or put an eye out. (Hatcher) got hit in the mouth and luckily didn’t lose any teeth.”

Officers used tear gas and fired pellets to disperse the crowd earlier in the evening after projectiles including fireworks, bricks, and rocks were thrown at police. Detroit police said they arrested 84 protesters after the violence began.

84 arrests made in second day of police brutality protests in Detroit

Hester was hit more than a dozen times, once above her eye but also on her legs, arms, and chest, where the marks remained visible a day later.

She called the entire situation “pretty emotional” for her, the first time she has ever experienced something like this. She has previously photographed Antifa and the Proud Boys in Portland, and a gathering for women’s reproductive rights in Alabama.

MLive photographer hit with rubber bullets at Detroit protest

MLive photographer Nicole Hester was hit by plastic pellets fired by Detroit police during a Saturday, May 31, 2020, protest in the city. (Nicole Hester, MLive.com)

“I’m not someone who scares easy, but that was pretty intense to be shot at,” said Hester.

Herald said he questioned another officer if he believed in freedom of the press and the oath taken to uphold the Constitution.

“All he said to me was, ‘I don’t know,’” Herald said. During that exchange, Hester said an officer said, "Maybe you’ll write the truth some day, lady!”

The group was directed back down the street by police.

“It seems like ages,” said Herald of the walk to the parking garage. “A good 30 minutes to an hour to navigate when it should have been about a five, 10-minute walk.”

As they approached the garage, Herald said there was another line of police.

“The officer looked at us and said: ‘I guess I’ll let you pass, but if I see your faces again, I’m locking you up,'” recalled Herald of the brief interaction.

When Hester arrived home, she saw the scrapes and bruises she’d suffered.

“I was just really glad he didn’t hit my eye,” she said, because vision is critical to her job.

Media outlets are reporting incidents of journalists being arrested or injured while covering the protests throughout the country.

“We’re first responders, too,” Hester said, wondering aloud what else could have been done to stop the incident from taking place. “What else am I supposed to do to identify myself and will it even matter?”

Hester and the other two photographers returned to their work in Detroit late Sunday.

Related news:

Police brutality protests in Michigan: What you need to know from this weekend’s rallies, riots

Flint-area police join protesters marching to seek justice for George Floyd

Peaceful protest in Grand Rapids devolves into riot, looting and fires

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