8 Other US Journos Killed Because of Work Since 1992

Today's victims bring the total to 10
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 26, 2015 6:55 PM CDT
8 Other US Journos Killed Because of Work Since 1992
A memorial is set up Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, on the Oakland, Calif., sidewalk where journalist Chauncey Bailey was slain Thursday.   (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Alison Parker and Adam Ward, killed this morning while reporting live, are the ninth and tenth journalists killed while on assignment (or because of work) in the US since 1992 by Poynter's count. It recalls the other eight, in part with information courtesy of the Committee to Protect Journalists:

  • Manuel de Dios Unanue, 1992: The former editor of El Diario/La Prensa was shot and killed in New York City; it's believed drug traffickers were seeking revenge for his pieces on drug operations and money laundering.
  • Dona St. Plite, 1993: The Haitian-born reporter and commentator for Miami's WKAT was murdered while at a benefit honoring a colleague who had been killed. The killing was rumored to be political in nature.

  • James Edwin Richards, 2000: The editor of the crime-focused Neighborhood News email newsletter was shot dead in Venice, Calif.; his work had reportedly given birth to a number of enemies.
  • William Biggart, 2001: The freelance photojournalist's body was found in the Ground Zero rubble four days after the 9/11 attack.
  • Kent Heitholt, 2001:The Columbia (Missouri) Daily Tribune sports editor was murdered as he was heading home for the night. A man who was wrongfully convicted of the crime spent nearly a decade in prison; the case remains unsolved.
  • Robert Stevens, 2001: The Sun photo editor died after breathing in anthrax at work in Florida; he was the first person killed in the mailed anthrax attacks of that year.
  • Chauncey Bailey, 2007: The editor-in-chief of the Oakland Post was shot and killed as he walked to work. Three men with connections to a local bakery that had received unfavorable coverage ultimately went to prison for the crime.
  • Charnice Milton, 2015: The DC reporter, a contributor to Capital Community News publications, had just finished an assignment and was walking to a bus stop on her way home when she was hit by a bullet intended for someone else. Her death is also unsolved.
Click for more at Poynter. (More journalists killed stories.)

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