Police in Savannah, Georgia arrested a man on Friday after he smacked a female reporter’s bottom as she reported in a live television broadcast.
WSAV-TV’s Alex Bozarjian was reporting live from a bridge in the coastal city during the Savannah Bridge Run on December 7. As runners streamed past her, one of them smacked her behind. Bozarjian was visibly appalled by the act as her mouth left agape following the incident. The reporter then pulled herself together to continue the rest of the coverage. See the video of the incident below:
Check out this jerk smacking a @WSAV reporter's ass live on air. And sorry, that's my kiddo making horribly timed weird noises in the background. pic.twitter.com/6tzi6P1Jbo
— Tonya (@GrrrlZilla) December 7, 2019
Savannah authorities have confirmed that the man, identified as 43-year-old Thomas Callaway, was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery. The act caused an outrage on Twitter and has now received international media attention. Bozarjian previously reacted to the incident in a Tweet where she wrote:
“To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better.”
— Alex Bozarjian (@alexbozarjiantv) December 12, 2019
WSAV-TV recently released a statement on the matter saying:
“No one should ever be disrespected in this manner. The safety and protection of our employees is WSAV-TV’s highest priority.”
According to the Savannah Police Department, Callaway turned himself in. He was released on a $1,300 jail bond. Callaway went to the TV station to issue an on-camera apology. While he did say sorry for his behavior, he claims that he “did not know where I touched her.” Outraged online users are describing Callaway’s remarks as “mansplaining.”
