NEW: Arrest Made In Connection With Assault On Conservative Journalist

An arrest has been made in connection with an assault on Philadelphia-based journalist Frank Scales, who was maced and punched while riding aboard a city bus earlier this month.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of January 19, when Scales and his team were riding on a SEPTA Route 7 bus in the 2300 block of Carpenter Street. Video footage from the bus surveillance system, as well as a video recorded by a member of Scales’ team, showed the suspect attacking the journalist after telling him to get off the bus;

Paulina Reyes, a former WHYY intern, accused Scales of spreading “racism” and “hatred” against Muslims, black people and Mexicans. She referred to him as a “fascist” and a “racist,” attempted to grab his phone, struck him, and deployed pepper spray at least twice.

“How am I a fascist?” Scales said before he was pepper sprayed for the first time. He then moved to another seat, while Reyes continued to rant, after which she ran over and deployed pepper spray once again while repeatedly striking Scales.

The bus driver then removed Reyes from the vehicle, while SEPTA police arrived at the scene soon after. Scales provided a statement to officers but declined medical attention.

Scales, 22, operates the website Surge Philly and is primarily known for on-the-ground coverage of protests and political events.

I was assaulted for my work as a journalist while riding home on a bus in Philadelphia.

While looking out of the window minding my own business, a known ANTIFA agitator sitting directly behind me started yelling at me claiming that I was a rascist and a fascist. I started… pic.twitter.com/glUn4P8643

— SurgePhilly (@Surge_Philly) January 19, 2026

Reyes, also 22, is a former intern at WHYY News and a recent student in communications and film at the Community College of Philadelphia. Her public profiles indicate involvement in left-wing political advocacy, as well as documentary filmmaking.

Following an investigation by SEPTA Transit Police, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s mass transit prosecutor, Reyes was formally arrested and charged on Thursday. The charges include misdemeanor simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime (related to the pepper spray), as well as summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct.

She was arraigned that morning and released on her own recognizance.

“This case is a reminder that violence will not be tolerated as a means to conduct political debate, protest, or exhibit differences,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, a Republican. “This type of violence is senseless, as we have an individual facing criminal charges over political disagreement.”

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