Reporters Witness GOP House Candidate Body Slam Reporter [AUDIO]

There’s a seat to fill for Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it took quite a violent turn today.

Fox News was preparing for a story about that particular election which takes places tomorrow and arranged to meet with the top two candidates, Republican Greg Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist. Moments later… things got rowdy!

BREAKING: Authorities: Montana Republican congressional candidate cited for misdemeanor assault over incident with reporter.

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 25, 2017

As written for Fox News by Alicia Acuna:

At that point, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him. Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the man, as he moved on top the reporter and began yelling something to the effect of “I’m sick and tired of this!”

Jacobs scrambled to his knees and said something about his glasses being broken. He asked Faith, Keith and myself for our names. In shock, we did not answer. He then said he wanted the police called and went to leave. Gianforte looked at the three of us and repeatedly apologized. At that point, I told him and Scanlon, who was now present, that we needed a moment. The men then left.

To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff’s deputies.

As for myself and my crew, we are cooperating with local authorities. It is not clear if charges will be filed against Gianforte at this time.

Scanlon later issued a statement saying that Jacobs “entered the [campaign] office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face, and began asking badgering questions.”