White Supra Driver and MNST Reporter Briefly Detained.

By MNST with collaboration with Seattle news.

Video of the situation can be viewed here. https://streamable.com/gepd2i

Seattle, WA – November 23rd 2024 A white Toyota Supra driver was briefly detained yesterday under suspicion of a crime but later released without charges. However, the situation escalates as an MNST reporter, observing from a lawful position, gets forcibly detained after a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper smashed a window to seize their camera.

The reporter was standing on the grass outside the station, observing interrogation of the Supra driver through a window that had no blinds or any barrier to obstruct a view. Witnesses described that the trooper, whose handle is "Bubbajuds10," came out of the building, smashed the window of the station from the inside, and snatched the camera of the reporter. He was then detained on suspicion of "obstruction of justice." After being detained briefly, the reporter was released with a warning: "If you come back, you will actually get arrested."

The Supra driver was pulled over for an unidentified offense and was detained briefly before being let go. Authorities have not revealed why the stop was initially made or how the reporter impeded the work of the officials from the public area.

The actions of the trooper has shocked MNST. Journalists do have a right to document public events, particularly from positions that do not interfere with law enforcement. Smashing the window, seizing the camera-the whole thing has raised questions about the appropriateness and restraint of law enforcement in this incident.

MNST has requested WSP explain the trooper's actions, but so far, have received no explanation. The Supra driver and reporter were both released without further charges.