Man Barges Way into WXII

WXII (Winston-Slaem) became the subject of its own breaking news story Friday afternoon after a man drove his SUV through the station’s gates and into its facility in an incident police are linking to a mental health crisis.

Just before 2:00 p.m. on Friday, the suspect rammed his vehicle through the front security gates of the station before striking a parked news vehicle. The driver then forced the SUV directly through the station’s main glass entrance, shattering the doors and damaging equipment inside the newsroom area.

Members of the WXII News team immediately took cover, barricaded themselves, and contacted emergency services. The Winston-Salem Police Department arrived quickly, taking the suspect into custody moments later.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators reported that he displayed “clear signs of a mental health crisis” and was not armed during the incident.

While authorities are still investigating the man's motivation, police have stated that the attack does not appear to be a targeted act against WXII or its employees.

The attack underscores the growing security concerns at news organizations across the country. WXII News staff expressed gratitude to the Winston-Salem Police Department and a shared sense of relief and resilience that no one was physically injured.