Pittsburgh Stations Under Fire for False Reports
WPXI and KDKA in Pittsburgh are being accused of reporting false information in the police shooting of Antwon Rose.
Rose, was unarmed when he was shot and killed by a police officer. Yesterday, the officer was charged with murder.
Both WPXI and KDKA reported that there was video of Rose shooting a gun in a drive-by the night of his death.
These reports were allegedly based on anonymous police sources.
Hours after the reports surfaced, Allegheny County representatives, including District Attorney Stephen Zappala, called the information false.
"And then when we tried to correct the record Friday, in a very detailed statement about what was wrong with what was reported," said District Attorney spokesperson Mike Manko on Wednesday. "That information was met with such defiance and arrogance that it was deeply offensive and bitterly disappointing."
District Attorney spokesperson Mike Manko called out the stations in a press conference.
"You failed the community that feeds you information for your programs, you failed the people that are directly affected by this crime, and you failed the consumers of your product," Manko said.
After the press conference, KDKA said that regret the error while WPXI says they stand by their reporting.
Sources tell FTVLive that WPXI had to pull their crews from one of the protests about the shooting for safety reasons.
Hmmmmm.... I have a feeling this is going to get a bit more interesting.