It was a devious play, perhaps she stumbled into it. But then she wouldn't be a press secretary.

She played the victim. Avoided all questions. Banned the reporters until a proper press conference. Made none of the coverage liable to answering. Literally fobbed them all off until the police stepped in banning the coverage.

There are easier ways to do this, but none as devious as another victim. Looks like a mockery because that's what it is. However look at how easy it dodged it. It possibly enrages the local people. But then nobody covers them, just this other phony, once she's established a QandA.