A Mississippi Fox News reporter picked up a snake on the side of the road during an impromptu Facebook Live report, only to find out the reptile was a venomous rattlesnake.
Jeremy J. Ford of Fox 30 News introduced the webcast as an “unofficial news story,” and said he was on his way to work when he noticed the snake on the side of the road.
“I don’t know what kind of snake it is,” he said, asking, “Should I catch it?”
“I’m gonna go back to my child days. Watch this,” he said before plucking the snake out of the grass by its head.
“Oh, it’s a rattlesnake! Holy crap!” he shrieked as he examined the rattling tail. “I think I’m officially retarded.”
A man in a passing truck informed Mr. Ford that the snake was indeed poisonous and advised the reporter to kill it.
“I’m not gonna kill it, I’m gonna let it go,” Mr. Ford responded.
“That was kind of stupid on my part,” he said, turning back to the camera. “I did not know that it was a real rattlesnake.”
Mr. Ford then dropped the snake back into the grass and filmed it as it slithered away.
He then informed the onlooker that he’s not a Mississippi native and has never seen a rattlesnake in person before. According to his Fox bio, he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.
“Jeremy J. Ford reporting for Fox 30 News,” he signed off from his webcast, laughing.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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