SAN FRANCISCO—A 22-year-old San Francisco State University student photographed a fatal shooting and is fighting the police for seizing his photos.

A 22-year-old San Francisco State University student was working as a freelance journalist when on April 27 he photographed the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Norris Bennett. The student believes the shield law in California will protect his journalistic rights.

In an email to San Francisco News, the student’s attorney Michael Ng stated, "The law in California provides very clear protection for journalists, including freelance journalists who have yet to arrange publication of a particular story.  My client was doing exactly the type of in-depth reporting in dangerous circumstances that the shield law was designed to protect."  

Ng stated that his client told police he was a journalist, but the San Francisco Police Department seized his photographs.

A message was left with Laura Zunino, attorney for the police department for comment.

The judge in the case has sealed the identity of the student and there will be another hearing on June 24, Ng says.