An arrest warrant has been issued for the man who recently attacked MSNBC correspondent Shaquille Brewster on air.
Brewster was reporting on the damage caused by Hurricane Ida in Gulfport, Mississippi, when a White male parked his white truck directly behind Brewster before confronting him and his crew.
The man was caught angrily screaming "report the news accurately" to Brewster and his crew, before they cut back to the newsroom.
Brewster took to Twitter to confirm he was fine and thanking everyone for their concern and support, though he didn't reveal any further details of what transpired after the cameras cut away.
Appreciate the concern guys. The team and I are all good!— Shaquille Brewster (@Shaquille Brewster) 1630337968
Little did Brewster know his attacker already had a criminal record and a most disturbing one at that.
The Gulfport Police Department have now identified the man who attacked Brewster as Benjamin Eugene Dagley of Wooster, Ohio.
Gulfport, Mississippi police posted an official statement as well as Dagley's photograph and a photo of his truck to their Twitter page.
We would like to thank the public for coming forward and helping identify Dagley.pic.twitter.com/SFPJAekshn— Gulfport Police Dept (@Gulfport Police Dept) 1630440893
Twitter reacted to Brewster's assailant being identified and expressed their hopes he will be apprehended soon.
Praying he's captured soon— Neal (@Neal) 1630441322
Thank you Gulfport police department!!!!— Tammy Meyers (@Tammy Meyers) 1630457086
Congratulations for finding https://him.No\u00a0 one should do this to ANYBODY and get away with it. The press brings the world in so they can see what\u2019s needed in an emergency. That way essential funds and needs can be addressed. This guy should have thanked this reporter— Elizabeth Stanley (@Elizabeth Stanley) 1630460573
In the statement, the Gulfport Police Department revealed Dagley has been charged with simple assault, disturbance of the peace and violation of an emergency curfew.
These charges are additions to a seemingly growing list of offenses by Dagley.
The police statement said Dagley was already facing charges in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He violated his probation—which included travel restrictions—by going to Mississippi.
As reported byCleveland.com, Daley was charged with breaking and entering after breaking into an electroplating company Cleveland Plating, which Daley once owned.
Once he had broken into Cleveland Plating, Dagley nearly caused an "environmental disaster."
Ed Cochran, the current owner of Cleveland Plating, stated Dagley drilled holes in tanks containing sodium cyanide, hydrochloric acid, yellow chromate, ferrous chloride and sulfuric acid.
Dagley's actions resulted in the 27-year-old security guard who discovered the leaks being sent to the hospital with possible cyanide poisoning.
Cochran had no doubt Dagley "knew what he was doing."
"If you mix the (cyanide and hydrochloric acid), you basically have the cyanide gas of World War I."
"It certainly would produce a toxic vapor that could kill."
Two months later Dagley broke into Cleveland Plating once again, this time with two accomplices, and found himself charged with misdemeanor assault after punching a security guard in the mouth and slamming their knee into a door.
Shocking as his past history is, Twitter followers were not particularly surprised Dagley had a criminal past.
More of them were wondering why he proved he violated his probation just to assault another man on live TV.
What kind of genius violates his probation on camera?— Kim Paquette \ud83d\udcab\ud83e\udd84 (@Kim Paquette \ud83d\udcab\ud83e\udd84) 1630456949
On probation with travel restrictions gets on live tv and performs criminal acts\u2026he really likes making his lawyer to work harder— Michael Redd (@Michael Redd) 1630465165
It's about time. I am sure this is not his first offense. And he will continue with aggressive behavior.— Adele (@Adele) 1630497417
Meet Benjamin Eugene Dagley, "tough guy." \n\nBe on the lookout--traveling from MS in his white Ford F-150 pickup truck.\n\nGee, now why ever would a convicted Ohio burglar would be in a hurricane disaster area in Gulfport? https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/business/media/nbc-reporter-hurricane-ida.html?smtyp=cur∣=fb-nytimes&fbclid=IwAR35OuZF7fSkOUeWqBtE4xnHVqt1h_-hc-G-4nE9ia_TfZNSxzLz_3vfgCo\u00a0\u2026— Bill \ud83c\udf0a\u269c\ufe0f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8Keep The Congress Blue in '22 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Bill \ud83c\udf0a\u269c\ufe0f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8Keep The Congress Blue in '22 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1630502331
Here's your daily thought...\nIf there is a warrant out for your arrest, it's a good idea to stay off of national television. \n#Benjamin Eugene Dagley— heather bush (@heather bush) 1630531847
The Gulfport Police Department believe Dagley has since left Gulfport and is likely on the run, traveling in a white 2016 Ford F150, with Ohio license plate, number PJR1745.
Those with any information regarding Dagley's whereabouts are instructed to not approach him and to contact their local law enforcement agency immediately.