16-Year-Old Arrested in Mob Attack on Two White Reporters — Charged with ‘Throwing a Missile’
- Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:30am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Rostami
A 16-year-old teen has been arrested and charged in the brutal mob attack on two white reporters in Virginia that largely went unreported for two weeks.
According to the Virginia Pilot, the boy has been charged with “throwing a missile at a vehicle, a felony, as well as two counts of simple assault by mob, destruction of property and participation in a riot, all misdemeanors.”
The victims, Dave Forster and Marjon Rostami, are reporters for the Pilot. They were stopped at a red light when a rock was thrown at their car. Forster got out to confront the original assailant, and that led to the attack.
But the story gained national attention not just for the attack, but because the pair’s employer refused to report on the story. That led to severe backlash and forced the paper’s editor, Denis Finley, to explain the paper’s decision in a front-page column published Thursday.
“We did not report the attack as a news story, and some have accused us of burying the incident for political reasons,” Finley explained.
“Race has entered the equation. The attackers are black; Forster and Rostami are white. A Twitter post mentioned Trayvon Martin, fueling the opinion that we are practicing reverse racism, that if a group of white people had attacked a black couple, the incident would have been front-page news.
“None of this is true.”
Forster
He went on to explain the newspaper did not report the incident because Forster and Rostami did not want their names in the news and the incident was deemed a “simple assault.”
“If these were the circumstances with anyone in the community, we would not have done a story,” Finley wrote.
Instead, the paper first published an opinion piece on Tuesday with the help of the victims, which allowed them to “editorialize” and accuse the police of a “shoddy” work in responding to the 911 call.
“We did not cover up anything. What would we gain by protecting some thugs who beat up two of our reporters? The accusation is ludicrous,” Finley said.
“Based on the facts, this story did not cross the bar to be published because as a general rule, The Pilot doesn’t publish stories about simple assaults,” he added.
As for the arrest, police are still looking for other attackers. But Police Chief Sharon Chamberlin stressed that despite the teen being charged with a “mob” attack, the actual number of attackers is likely far less than what some might think. Originally, Forster and Rostami noted that there were about 100 in the crowd and 30 people near the car at the time of the assault.
“It is important to clarify that 30 people did not carry out the assault,” the chief said. “There was a large group in the vicinity, but our investigation and the statements of the victims show that no more than a handful of people were involved.”
She also once again confirmed the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime.
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Comments (73)
moreteaplease
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:50am“Race has entered the equation. The attackers are black; Forster and Rostami are white. A Twitter post mentioned Trayvon Martin, fueling the opinion that we are practicing reverse racism, that if a group of white people had attacked a black couple, the incident would have been front-page news.
“None of this is true.”
————————————————-
Oh I beg to differ.
Had the roles been reversed, I believe The Pilot would have ginned this piece up to be the
“Trayvon incident” of Hampton Roads.
Soledad O’Brien would feel right at home at this paper.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:38amLet’s go loot a walgreens, then wait for our Gubmint Checks…..
Report Post »gramma b
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:41amIf these folks had followed the rules that John Derbyshire got fired from National Review for posting, they would have been safe.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 12:14pmAnd they wonder why nobody buys the paper anymore.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:16pmHow sad it is that the staff at the blaze has to constantly find instances to criticize and undermine other media outlets and sites. As though it is nothing more than promotion and cheap marketing. It is similar to FOX News using the Fair and Balance motto as if repeating it a million times will alter that their editorial policy is anything but.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:07pm@JROOK
Report Post »Damn… I hope you are paid… to be Stupid!
johnsnare
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:40pmWhat a bunch of crap. Black on white is acceptable. White on black is not. Very simple.MSM, is so biased against whites, i want to throw up. White America is now the minority.
Report Post »GdHUs
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 2:35pm@JROOK One word for you Rookie: HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What‘s good for the goose just isn’t good for the liberal is it?
Report Post »unpata
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:49amIts only a race crime or hate crime if the victim is black…i see
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:25amSeems that the “ social justice ” crowd has determined that whites today should be punished for the sins of those anonymous whites who had slaves. Sure makes sense ? I mean, shouldn’t we find a living relative of Booth and punish him/her for him killing Lincoln ? I mean, that seems to be the reasoning of this holier-than-thou “ social justice ” crowd. And it is being preached from pulpits ?? ( In the past, American traditional values would have defined such actions as ” revenge .” But that was back when people had behavioral standards , common sense , and believed in the rule of law . All of which seem to have been dumbed out of America . )
Report Post »razvedka
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:31amThat’s right! But they need to rename HATE CRIME with WHITE CRIME, since whites are the only ones ever charged with it.
Report Post »paul1149
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:44amNot being prosecuted as a hate crime? That mob attack would have happened had the couple been Black? Get real. Folks, the liberals are winning, and that means the end of the God-blessed nation.
Report Post »goofyfoot2001
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 11:46amI just got a .45. It’s sweeeeet!
Report Post »cromag11b
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:35amEveryday the Blaze gets a little closer to being Stormfront.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:28amand everyday America gets closer to being a third world country with natives running amuck…
Report Post »HumbleCitizen
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:17amAll crime is “hate crime”.
Had enough?
Report Post »Where do we go from here?
http://www.rallyforcommonsense.org/
EqualJustice
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:15amThat took a LONG time. We shuold take to the streets….
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:51amFact: If a black couple, (and yes these two are a couple, the guy is doinking the babe, make no mistake) were attacked by a group of white punks they would call out multiple SWAT teams with automatic weapons backed up by helicopter gunship support. They would kick in doors and threaten children until they captured every last fricking snowball responsible for the infraction. And they would be charged with hate crimes. And they would be sued in civil court. But blacky, he will have to pick up some trash on the side of the road for an afternoon and that will be the end of it.
Report Post »AverageWhiteMale
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:44amThis is not REVERSE racism, there is no such thing as REVERSE racism, just call it what it is RACISM. It does not matter which way it is going the word simply means one thing, it is not pinned to one race or another idiot.
Reverse racism to me would be someone of another race giving me a hug and an ice cram cone.
I can’t stand this biased crap any longer.
Report Post »charlieb58
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 1:28pmWell said.
Report Post »littlefish
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:42amThe attackers probably were white-blacks
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:31amIt‘s a ’hate crime’ when the perp is white and the victim is black to allow for a longer sentence if convicted.It isn‘t a ’hate crime’ if the perp is black and the victim is white,this political correctness is part of the reason for the destruction of our society.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:22amDon’t worry Slayer, Obama will make a speech and tell us how that if he had a son, he would look like Forster.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 10:30amGONZO: don’t forget that Obama may also say that this was just another case of the “police acting stupidly .” You know how he dislikes those stupid cops…..
Report Post »troymac20
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:25amWhy only 1 arrest?
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:01amBecause he took the rap for the team. He will be lauded as a hero now.
Report Post »artman54
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:23amThey truly are the most despicable race of people on earth.
Report Post »tuchux
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 3:54pmamen
Report Post »MikeNelson
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:16amFifteen years for the 16 year old.
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:10amThe Pilot said this was simple assult ???? and they want us to think this is a newspaper? a MOB is not simple assult this was a cover up by this liberal paper, so all you liberals out there ask yourself are you getting REAL NEWS
Report Post »spuggylips
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:24amYou are correct, to call a mob attack a “simple assault” is a complete lie. We all know it would be national news if the tables were turned.
My local newspaper is slanted this way and barely reports on half the crime that happens in certain parts of town. In one respect, it‘s so commonplace that it’s barely newsworthy I suppose.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 11:39amIf there are 100 people standing close by watching 5 people beat me up and they do nothing and may even be cheering, is this a mob?
Hell, yes.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:03am…buy guns…get conceal carry permits…protect yourselves because law enforcement‘s hands are tied and we can’t expect them to protect us…don’t buy liberal newspapers…don’t do business in black neighborhoods until as a group they realize violence is not the answer…and for the love of God never vote for a Democrat.
Report Post »troymac20
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:30amOnly problem is the protecting yourself is apparently not a viable option anymore. Least it wasn’t for Zimmerman.
GP100
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:40amThe police have no legal obligation to protect you.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:49am“Only problem is the protecting yourself is apparently not a viable option anymore. Least it wasn’t for Zimmerman.”
Zimmerman’s mistake is he thought that by doing the right thing (cooperating with the police and calling them in the first place) he would be protected by the law. What he didn’t realize is that the rule of Law is dead in America and it is now mob rule.
Report Post »Viking64
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:52amShort but very true!
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:52amI used to have a GP100. I loved that gun. Wish I still had it.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:01amHere is another one: http://www.debbieschlussel.com/49284/hey-another-non-trayvon-story-that-doesnt-meet-the-race-narrative-4-black-men-beat-white-marine-to-death/
Report Post »tomasreal
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:00am“Reverse racism”. “Reverse discrimination” all such terms are Oxymoron’s and make racism against Whites something other than what it really is. Racism is Racism, calling something reverse racism distracts from the ugly truth of racism and makes discrimination against Whites sound like it is not as bad as racial discrimination against Blacks. I don’t know how this got started but its plain stupid, Racism is Racism!!!
Report Post »Cuchulainn
Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:54pmEven more so, nonsense terms like “reverse racism” play right into the eyes of opportunists like the “Reverend” Al Sharpton, who once said: “The only way to end racism is to reverse it. That’s why we need reverse racism.”
Report Post »Sharpton btw, is “not a racist”; just ask him.
Darla_K
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:57amI think we are in for alot of these attacks happening more and more. The blacks need to get over whatever it is that is bothering them or maybe even get professional help. They are taking this to far and soon this country will be over the brink with the violence. Crime happens everywhere and the criminals should be punished, but innocent people should be left alone. The media also needs to do their job and make sure the good citizens know what is going on in their town, neighborhood, and streets.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:59amPlease Darla, come back from La La Land for a moment and slap yourself back into reality.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:56amThis is perfect for Rev Al. He can agitate for the 16 year old being persecuted. The White reporters should not have prevoked him by driving in his area and stopping at an intersection. They are guilty of being targets for this guys anger. If they had stayed out of the ghetto this would not have happened.
Eric Holdup will back up Rev Al and c harge the whiteys with a hate crime for getting beaten up. Ther got blood on the young mans Air Jordans and ruined them, they must pay for such sacralige.
OMG 2012
Report Post »momrules
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:55amAnother *child* out and about and up to no good. I’m sure they are scrambling to find a sweet baby picture already.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 9:34amTrying to find a baby picture will be easier than finding his Daddy, until the street marches start then he will show up for his 15 minutes of fame.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:45amYou have 30 young whites confront a black couple and you would have the black panthers putting out a bounty on all 30. and all of these people speaking out – Al Sharpton, Rev. Wright,Congressman Keith Ellison,Jessie Jackson (Jr & Sr), Sheila Jackson Lee, obama , eric holder, and Louis Farrakhan’s,.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:57amindeed.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:39amWhy would anyone ever buy this paper again, knowning their lack of ability to report facts
Report Post »BradLee
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:38am“As a general rule we do not publish the truth about those things we pretend are humans.”
Report Post »Fubared
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:37amIn the juvie pokey where he will refine his ways and hopefully be back for some stellar felon action in about 1.5 years. Sweet.
Report Post »Hey Doggie, lets here your break down on how this yout went wrong and how we as whities are responsible and should never question his rights to mayhem violence…
blanco5
Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:34amDon’t worry, the professional agitators will be there to defend him since tryavon is dying down and they have NOTHING better to do.
Report Post »