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January 26, 2025 – USA –
In a disturbing incident reported on June 2, 2024, Brattleboro Reformer reporter Anessa Kim, a 22-year-old journalist and Edgewood Media Group employee, was physically assaulted while covering a town selectboard meeting at the Municipal Center in Brattleboro, Vermont.
What Happened
Kim had interviewed former selectboard member Michael “Mike” Fitzgerald as he exited the building. While filming with her phone, she followed him briefly to capture a statement. Suddenly, Fitzgerald reached out, grabbed Kim’s phone, and smashed it against a tree before walking away.
Aftermath and Authorities’ Response
Kim reported the assault to Brattleboro police and submitted a complaint. The police are investigating the incident as malicious mischief and are communicating with the prosecutor’s office to determine whether charges, such as assault or vandalism, may be appropriate.
Statements from Those Involved
Fitzgerald told the media he acted in self-defense, claiming the phone vibrated in his hand and startled him, prompting an impulsive reaction. Kim expressed that she was emotionally shaken but unhurt, as the assault was “unsettling” — she said she immediately froze and later felt anxiety returning to the Municipal Center.
Community Concerns
The incident has sparked concern about press safety in local civic settings. Journalists and press-freedom advocates caution that such attacks, especially during public duty, threaten democratic values and journalists’ ability to report freely. Local journalism leaders have called for de-escalation and better understanding between public officials and media professionals.
Broader Context
Though rare in small communities like Brattleboro, this confrontation is part of a national trend of journalists facing hostility while performing routine public affairs coverage. Experts argue that municipalities must ensure safety protocols and respect for journalists during official events.
Looking Ahead
The case remains under police review, with possible legal outcomes pending. Meanwhile, local media and government officials are discussing ways to prevent future incidents through clearer communication, designated interview areas, or explicit guidelines for interactions between officials and the media.
Reference –
Law said that Cuello was issued a citation for aggravated disorderly conduct.
Poitras told the Reformer in a phone interview that when he was trying to park at the Municipal Center, he had no clue what was going on when the events started to unfold.
“The kid just runs across from the human services area, screaming something, I didn’t even know what he said. Starts punching my window, punching it full force, telling me to get out of the car,” said Poitras. “I then pulled away, and he started chasing me, he stopped, and turned around, so I stopped.”
Poitras added that his social worker came up to his window and asked him to not get their client in trouble.
He said the whole experience was ridiculous, and that he never met Cuello before this incident. He said he wasn’t there to film anything but just wanted to file his paperwork. He added that he is going to file a Freedom of Information Act request to get footage of the three video cameras in the parking lot.
Poitras does have his fair share of people who disapprove of the content that he makes on his platform. He said people have been making comments about him online that are not true and reaching out to his sponsors trying to get them to drop him.
“I was like, Oh boy, is this somebody who I’ve had a videoed or a family member? They were awfully mad, awfully quick, and I didn’t recognize him even after he left,” said Poitras. “I don’t know if he was having a mental health crisis moment at the Human Services building. He recognized me and thought I was coming to film him. I don’t know.”
Poitras said it would be a traumatic experience for most people, and believes it might have been out of character for the individual, whom he said could have been having a (mental) breakdown given the fact that he had a social worker with him trying to get him out of trouble.
“This was a serious situation even if he doesn’t like my reporting or something about me, to run up on a reporter like he did and attack at first sight like that, it was an unacceptable aggravated disorderly conduct,” said Poitras.
Hank concluded that he didn’t wish the person who attacked him any ill will toward him and hoped he would get the help needed.
