An Illinois man has been arrested after grabbing a news reporter live on-air and shouting "f*** her right in the p***y".
WGN-TV reporter Haynorl was live on-air giving a report from Shorewood, Illinois for the 10:00PM newscast on Saturday night.
Hall was reporting on the damage the area had endured from high winds, and just before she cut away to a video package, a man quickly appeared in the frame, grabbing her around the arms, and shouted the profanity.
You can see the incident below (Warning: strong language):It is clear from Hall's immediate reaction that she was startled and scared.
Taking to Facebook following the incident, the reporter wrote: "A brief note to the young man who jumped in my liveshot tonight: It was not funny. You violated my personal space. You grabbed me. You scared me. Was it worth it?"
WGN-TV anchor Tonya Francisco also took to Twitter following the incident, calling for the people of Shorewood to identify the man. Francisco wrote:
"Do you know this guy? He attacked my colleague @gaynor_hall during her liveshot last night in Shorewood. She is physically ok, but this is UNACCEPTABLE!!! He needs to be turned it."
Viewer Dave Miller also wrote on the social media site: "WGN-TV’s Gaynor Hall was essentially assaulted during a live report on the 10:00 news tonight. My hope is that Shorewood, IL police are looking for the criminal because it was reprehensible."
The man was later identified as 20-year-old Eric Farina from Minooka, Illinois.
Shorewood Police have since confirmed in a statement that Farina has been arrested and is now facing battery and disorderly conduct charges, WGN-TV has reported.
The statement said Farina made a "full confession" and was released on a $2,500 recognizance bond.
In an update to her Facebook statement, Hall has since said: "Thanks to your help, he was identified and arrested. Thank you all so much for your kind words and support. I am ok and I appreciate you more than you know."
