David Muir Halts ABC Broadcast for Urgent Update, but Viewers Claim His Coverage Falls Shockingly Short.NN
David Muir on his evening new program, World News Tonight, reported on news involving the Palisades fire. Viewers
David Muir had breaking news about the suspect arrested in connection with the Palisades Fire this week.
Article continues below
The ABC journalist did a breaking news report on World News Tonight about the 29-year-old man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, arrested and charged with “maliciously” beginning what resulted into the Palisades Fire. On the Wednesday (October 8) episode of the evening show, Matt Guzman took over the report. Matt revealed that authorities said that suspect, an Uber driver, ignited a small fire after he had dropped off passengers who lived in the area, on New Year’s Day.
Article continues below
The fire, that was known as Lachman Fire, was suppressed by firefighters but continued to smolder underground but then strong winds resulted in it becoming the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people, destroyed over 6,800 homes and structures and burned over 23,000 acres.
Article continues below
David Muir reports on the government shutdownREAD MORE: David Muir viewers send prayers as he halts show for update on Gene SimmonsREAD MORE: Donald Trump issued brutal blow as all the president’s lies listed by CNN reporter
A clip of David and Matt’s report on the story was shared on the World News Tonight and fans were outraged about a particular aspect. They were angry to hear that if convicted the suspect could go to prison for a maximum of 20 years.
A person in the comment section said, “20 years? Not nearly enough!” A second person, “If 12 people died why would he only be facing 20 years!!??”
Another said, “20 years? He deserves life in prison without any possibility of parole….” A fourth, “20 years????? 20 years!!!!!!!! thats not enough for the lost human lives, not enough for the animal loss, not enough for the homes and dreams loss, not enough for the natural disaster the smoke causes!!!! NOT enough!!!!
It was also reported that authorities stated before starting the fire on December 31, 2024, he had listened to a song called Un Zder, Un The by French Rapper Josman. According to the federal affidavit, that the theme of the song is “despair and bitterness” and the music video displayed the the main character (Josman) lighting things on fire.
Per the document, Google records showed that Jonathan watched the music video three times across four days previously. The affidavit also stated that Jonathan said he was fluent in French and grew up in the European country.
Article continues below
Along with the music video, the affidavit said that Jonathan had asked ChatGPT to create an image depicting a city burning.
Jonathan had his first court appearance on Wednesday, October 8, and had another hearing on Thursday, October 9.
Article continues below
The Palisades fires on January 7 and was finally extinguished on January 31. The almost one month wildfire is one of the deadliest fires in California history.
