Detroit Cop Accused Of Shooting Photojournalists Arraigned

DETROIT, MI — A Detroit Police officer Wayne County prosecutors have accused of shooting three photojournalists with rubber bullets was arraigned Thursday on assault charges.

Detroit Police Corporal Daniel Debono, 32, was arraigned by 36th District Court Judge Roberta Archer on three counts of felonious assault, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison.

Prosecutors said Debono in the early morning hours of May 31 was sent with other officers to police demonstrations regarding the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died while in police custody with a police officer's knee on his neck.

Related: Detroit Cop Accused Of Assault During George Floyd Protests

Debono, dressed in riot gear, fired his weapon at three photojournalists who were walking at Woodward Avenue and State Street with their hands up and while identifying themselves as journalists, prosecutors said.

The journalists — Nicole Hester of MLive, and independent journalists Seth Herald and Matthew Hatcher — each received injuries from rubber bullets, prosecutors said. Hester had injuries to her face, neck, arms and legs, prosecutors said.

Debono was given a $10,000 personal bail, prosecutors said. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Aug. 13.