CRIME & LAW

Chicago news crew attacked near Adler Planetarium

PUBLISHED Jun 30, 2026, 6:32 AM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

A CBS News Chicago reporter and photographer were attacked Monday afternoon while preparing for a live broadcast near Adler Planetarium, according to witnesses and Chicago police. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on the 900 block of East Solidarity Drive, when three men in a white tow truck stopped in front of the station’s news van. A white or Hispanic man with a dog allegedly shouted racial slurs at the African American cameraman and ordered the dog to attack, police said. After a confrontation, the other two men exited the truck, smashed the camera and shattered the news van’s windshield with a traffic cone before fleeing.

By Noormahi M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Monday afternoon Incident occurs near Adler Planetarium
Just before 4:30 p.m. Tow truck blocks CBS news van
Shortly afterward Man with dog exits truck
Moments later Man shouts racial slurs angrily
Immediately after Dog ordered to attack cameraman
Following confrontation Two additional men exit truck
Soon after Camera smashed and windshield broken
After the attack Suspects flee Adler Planetarium area

News Intelligence

This incident near Adler Planetarium is a stark reminder of the potential dangers journalists face, even in broad daylight. It's a community concern that affects everyone's right to reliable, timely news. Stay alert and report any suspicious activity you see.