An investigative reporter for Fox 6 News said yesterday that he was still “in really bad shape” after being beaten by the subject of one of his stories.
“I've got cracked ribs, my eyes are really sore, my head hurts,” said John Mattes, 56, who was attacked Tuesday in an incident that was captured on camera by Fox 6 News photographer Dennis Waldrop and broadcast on the station (XETV/Channel 6).
Mattes had been working on a story about an alleged real estate scam.
The video, posted on the station's Web site, Fox6.com, shows Mattes standing with his arms folded when a man he identified as Assad “Sam” Suleiman, 36, walks toward him and throws a punch.
“Bam, he gets me down on the ground and starts ripping my face open,” Mattes said. “His fingers in my eye socket, biting me. I've got tetanus shots, and I've been treated for human bites.”
Brian Phillips, the man about to be interviewed by Mattes, tries to pull Suleiman away, and the three fall to the ground. Phillips owns property next door to a commercial building owned by Suleiman.
Then Suleiman's wife, Rosa Amelia Barraza, 33, yells into the camera that “you guys are invading my life.”
Soon police arrive and take Suleiman into custody.
Mattes said he had been investigating an alleged scam operated by the couple. They are suspected of using the names of other people to buy real estate, rent it out, then let it default while they kept the rental income, Mattes said.
Police said Barraza, who Mattes said threatened to get a gun, was booked on suspicion of making a terrorist threat, displaying a deadly weapon, battery and theft of the cameraman's microphone. Suleiman was booked on suspicion of felony assault.
Both posted bail Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
