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Benjamin Dagley: Man faces charges for disrupting Shaquille Brewster's Hurricane Ida live

The Wooster resident has allegedly approached the TV reporter in an aggressive way and seemingly screamed at him to 'report it accurately!'
UPDATED SEP 2, 2021
Benjamin Eugene Dagley had allegedly attacked NBC's Shaquille Brewster amid Hurricane Ida coverage (Gulfport Police Department and Twitter/ @craigmelvin)
Benjamin Eugene Dagley had allegedly attacked NBC's Shaquille Brewster amid Hurricane Ida coverage (Gulfport Police Department and Twitter/ @craigmelvin)

A man who aggressively approached a TV reporter amid live coverage of Hurricane Ida from Gulfport, Mississippi, is now facing an arrest warrant on criminal charges. Benjamin Eugene Dagley of Wooster, Ohio, was not initially identified, but as per police in Gulfport, Mississippi, members of the public helped him identify eventually.

The Gulfport Police Department stated that the suspect has been pressed with four criminal counts, including two counts of simple assault, one of disturbing the peace and another of violating an emergency curfew. The Gulfport Police Department took to Twitter to thank people for their assistance as it wrote, “We would like to thank the public for coming forward and helping identify Dagley.”

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The arrest warrant was issued against Dagley after he accosted NBC's Shaquille Brewster on Monday, August 30, while the correspondent was speaking about the situation in Gulfport amid the natural disaster. At the time, Brewster was standing at a beach and telling anchor Craig Melvin that the rain had stopped in the region, mail delivery had returned and the mayor of the town was still imposing a curfew as they examined the situation. That was when a white Ford pickup truck abruptly stopped and Dagley -- described as a large, middle-aged man -- ran towards Brewster, who moved away from him to focus on his reporting.

But the accused did not stop there and started yelling at both the camera crew and the correspondent. Brewster then told Melvin that the man was making it difficult for him to continue his work. Dagley also seemingly screamed at Brewster to “report it accurately!” Soon the control room changed the focus from Brewster's segment to a shocked Melvin. The anchor said, “Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. We’re going to check in with Shaq Brewster just to make sure all is well. There is a lot of crazy out there. There is a lot of crazy!”

Later, after doing an interview with Representative Troy Carter (D-LA) about hurricane damage survey and rescue efforts, Melvin told the viewers, “You probably saw or heard a few moments ago, one of our correspondents was disrupted by some wacky guy during his live shot there in Mississippi. Pleased to report that Shaquille Brewster is just fine. Shaq is okay.”

The broadcaster also took to Twitter to share, “This is beyond unacceptable and disgusting. @shaqbrewster was trying to do his job on a beach in Gulfport, MS. Shaq is ok. This guy who nearly attacked him clearly is not.” Brewster also updated people about himself on Twitter by writing, “Appreciate the concern guys. The team and I are all good!”



 



 

Meanwhile, police have urged people to locate Dagley since he has apparently run away from the Mississippi coast. People on Twitter shared their thoughts after charges were filed against him. A user tweeted, “Praying he's captured soon.” Another one praised Brewster, “I loved how the teporter stood straight and tall, head up as the aggressor pushed into his personal soace. He did not yield ground. Well done, he has the skill to deal with a bully.” “So now all that needs to be done is to apprehend the perpetrator? So he can be charged? Not let out on bail, since he is a flight risk, as he has flown the coop already. May he go to jail soon!” the third user added.



 



 



 

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