Black Reporter Keeps Her Cool During Racist Attack Caught On Camera

KCCI's Emmy Victor didn't flinch during the encounter.

A woman accosted a reporter and photojournalist in Boone, Iowa, on Tuesday, putting her hands on the reporter and hurling racial epithets and other profanity at her.

Emmy Victor, who is black, was reporting on the shooting death of Michael Disbrowe, 28, whom police killed Monday night in Boone. Victor, a reporter for the TV station KCCI, maintained her composure as a white woman -- later identified as Disbrowe's mother -- began swearing at Victor and calling her racial slurs.

"Ma'am, ma'am, don't ever," Victor says before the woman approaches her a second time and shoves her finger in Victor's face.

Reporter Emmy Victor remained calm as this woman made racist statements to her.
Reporter Emmy Victor remained calm as this woman made racist statements to her.
KCCI

As the woman departs, she knocks over a tripod and can be heard cursing at photojournalist Zachary Hayes, who was with Victor on the assignment.

The reporters were unharmed in the confrontation. It's not clear who initially approached whom or what happened in the moments before the part of the encounter caught on film.

Michael Disbrowe was allegedly threatening other people with a gun Monday night. Police responding to a 911 call say they shot Disbrowe because he aimed a weapon at officers after ignoring instructions to drop it, KCCI reports.

Victor declined to comment to The Huffington Post about Tuesday's incident. In a statement, Brian Sather, KCCI's general manager, complimented Victor and Hayes for their poise.

"The safety of our crews is critically important as they cover stories affecting our communities," Sather said. "This morning Emmy and Zach demonstrated the utmost professionalism in the face of a very difficult, emotionally-charged situation."

Support for Victor poured in from other journalists and viewers:

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