Heart-stopping moment CNN reporter is mugged at knifepoint live on-air

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By VT

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A CNN reporter has been mugged at knifepoint while reporting on a news broadcast live on-air from Brazil.

The incident took place near the Bandeiras Bridge in São Paulo, where Bruna Macedo and her news crew were reporting on heavy rain causing the water level to rise in the Teté River.

Watch footage of the mugging below: 

As Macedo spoke with anchor colleague Rafael Colombo in the studio, the suspect can be seen in the footage looking over a bridge.

Two minutes later, the man - believed to be homeless - approached Macedo as she continued her report.

As anchor Colombo continued to ask about flooding in the city, the unidentified man pulls out a knife, causing Macedo to take a couple of steps back. She then calmly responds to the man, as the camera then moved away from the incident and focused on a scene of the street.

The mugger eventually fled when Macedo handed over two cellphones.

Per The Sun, in an interview with Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo, Colombo said that his colleague was not injured as a result of the attack and returned to the CNN news center after it took place.

But he said: "She had a terrible scare, but she is fine."

This comes after a fun-runner was faced with backlash after reportedly slapping a reporter's bottom live on-air last December.

Georgia station WSAV-TV was on-site for the Savannah Bridge 10K Run, with reporter Alex Bozarjian addressing the viewers as delighted joggers ran past and gestured at the camera.

But one runner - wearing a hat and sunglasses overstepped the boundaries when he leaned down and smacked the Bozarjian's behind, leaving her visibly shocked and momentarily speechless.

Check out the disgraceful moment in the video below:

Despite the disturbing turn of events, Bozarjian was able to compose herself and continue with the broadcast.

One stunned viewer who watched the incident tweeted: "We watch @WSAV in our house every single morning. Their staff is like extended family to us. I'm furious about this."

Credit: 3049

Bozarjian also took to social media to respond to the incident, writing on Twitter: "To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better."

Credit: 3536

The man was later identified as Thomas Callaway, who apologized for his actions in an interview with WSAV. Callaway said:

"Alex, I am sorry. I did not mean to do this. I think you’re a great, great asset to this community and to the local media and to the national media.

"You’re very talented. You’re an amazing woman from what I’ve gathered, and I apologize."

Per Time, Callaway was later arrested and charged with sexual battery.