NEW YORK _ An unhinged man sucker-punched ABC Eyewitness News reporter Tim Fleischer in Queens on Tuesday, police said.
Fleischer, 54, was filming a segment at the corner of Beach Channel Drive and Beach 56th Street in Far Rockaway about 12:30 p.m. when the unidentified man stormed up to him and punched him in the face, cops said.
The assailant then ran off, only to be arrested a few blocks away.
Fleischer was interviewing a local resident while New York Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press event nearby when he was attacked, officials said.
The newsman was taken to Long Island Jewish Medical Center with a minor injury.
Charges against his attacker were pending. His name was not immediately disclosed.
Police sources said the man is a local resident known to have mental problems.
