Khq Photographer Arrested For Assault

KHQ News photographer Sherrie Cerutti was arrested Friday while trying to shoot video of a cougar treed on Spokane’s South Hill.

Cerutti was confronted by a police officer as she rushed down East 26th Avenue to get pictures of the cat.

It appeared the photographer collided with the patrolman, and a brief fracas occurred.

The officer said Cerutti purposely threw her shoulder into him as she tried to get by him, said Dick Cottam, police spokesman.

“She was told three times by an officer, who was in her path, that she couldn’t go forward, that she’d have to go back to the sidewalk,” Cottam said. “His first concern was the safety of the people there, including the media.”

The officer then grabbed Cerutti’s camera, while another grabbed her wrist and put her into the back of a squad car. She was detained for nearly an hour.

Cerutti was cited for fourth-degree assault and obstructing an officer, both misdemeanors, Cottam said. She was not handcuffed or booked into the jail.

Cerutti, who has worked at KHQ for about four years, said she thought the police “were in the wrong.” On the advice of her attorney, she declined further comment.

KHQ News Director Patricia McRae called the officers’ conduct unnecessary and said the station is weighing its options.

“In the heat of the moment, it appears the Spokane Police Department made an error in judgment,” McRae said.

, DataTimes