What happened
An independent journalist says he was assaulted while riding a Route 7 SEPTA bus in downtown Philadelphia around noon. The reporter says a woman sitting behind him began shouting accusations, then lunged at his phone, punched him over the head, and sprayed him with pepper spray. Fellow passengers and a colleague who was with him helped preserve video evidence. SEPTA confirms it is investigating and that police took a statement.
The recording
Video shared by the journalist shows a confrontation that escalates quickly after he starts recording for his safety. The footage captures the woman calling him racist and fascist, grabbing at his phone, and then using pepper spray. The reporter said the bus driver later removed the woman and drove away. The recording is central to understanding what happened and will matter to investigators and any potential charges.
Who the woman is said to be
The reporter identified the woman as a former WHYY intern named Paulina Reyes and described her as an activist with ties to ANTIFA. WHYY says Reyes interned there from June 2025 through August 2025 and that she has no current affiliation. The organization also issued a brief statement stressing support for civil discourse. Reyes did not respond to interview requests according to available reports.
Official response and next steps
SEPTA confirms police were called and that the transit agency is looking into the incident. Police took the reporter’s statement and he declined medical attention at the scene. The journalist says he plans to press charges. If prosecutors pursue a case, the video and witness accounts will likely be central evidence.
Background on the reporter
The journalist involved runs a local outlet and has been a vocal critic of Philadelphia institutions, including the district attorney. He was previously active in student government and faced controversy at Community College of Philadelphia, where he says he was removed after political disputes. Whether past disputes explain the bus incident is unclear. What is clear is that a public confrontation in a confined space raises safety concerns for everyone on board.
Why this matters
This incident sits at the crossroads of free speech, public safety, and social friction on campuses and online. Pepper spray on a crowded bus is not just an argument gone wrong. It is a public safety issue that agencies and transit operators should take seriously. And it is a reminder that heated political disputes can spill into everyday life, testing the limits of civil discourse and basic civic rules.
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