FTVLive has told you about the two discrimination lawsuits filed against WDJT in Milwaukee for the last week. 

Now, a News Photographer has mailed out a resignation letter to the entire staff. The Photographer claimed that he was the victim of an attempted robbery. 

Eric Ellis claims that while he was covering an anti-violence rally on the North side, a group of people "came up behind me as I was walking back to my car and threatened to shoot me and take my gear. I got back to my car, thankfully physically unharmed. I was extremely shaken afterwards and filed a police report."

He claims that when he went back to the station and talked to management, they acted as if it was no big deal.  

Ellis felt that the station is putting crews in dangerous situations and he decided to quit his job.

He sent out this email that also served as his resignation letter. 

From: Eric Ellis <eric.jonathan.ellis@gmail.com
Date: September 11, 2013, 2:28:07 PM CDT
To: <eellis@cbs58.com<mailto:eellis@cbs58.com>>

Last Wednesday while covering an anti-violence rally on the North side, I was a victim of attempted robbery and death threats. A group of people came up behind me as I was walking back to my car and threatened to shoot me and take my gear. I got back to my car, thankfully physically unharmed. I was extremely shaken afterwards and filed a police report.

Upon arrival back to the station, I talked to certain management and what had happened to me was made out as no big deal. I was told that I was "ok" and "fine" and that the people were "just messing with me." I certainly did not feel that they were "messing with me," I felt that my life was in danger. I left work for the rest of the day.

I came back to work the next day and the same manager talked to me again about what I learned to do the next time something like this happened. I said hopefully nothing like this would happen again. Then I was told that I should have recorded them on camera. Clearly that would have escalated the situation and put me in even more danger.

I feel that the lack of care for the safety of photographers, reporters and MMJs at this station us appalling. I cannot work at a place where I constantly feel unsafe and am sent to unsafe areas alone.

Even after an email was sent out saying we were not supposed to go to the North side alone, we are sent there alone everyday. The email read:

"Unfortunately today one of our MMJ's was robbed while trying to cover a story on Milwaukee's Northside. While attempting to do an interview the suspect came up behind her and ripped her iPhone from her hand.  Thankfully she was not hurt.    Until further notice NO one is to go to Northside alone.  If we are late to a story or miss it all together so be it.  The safety of our staff in the field is far more important."

After my incident, no email was sent out and only a few people knew what happened to me. I am sending this email to make people aware and to submit my immediate resignation from my position.

Thank you to all the awesome photographers, reporters, producers, assignment desk people and MMJs I've worked with.

All of my work items are in a bag downstairs. Gear is in car 6.

-Eric