Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet while reporting live from downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. She was covering protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and the deployment of National Guard troops in the city.
Tomasi, a correspondent for 9News, was in the middle of a live report when an officer fired a round at close range, hitting her in the leg. The moment was captured on video, showing the chaos as police moved in on horseback, using rubber bullets to disperse crowds of protesters. In the video, someone in the crowd can be heard shouting, “You just shot the reporter!”
Despite the incident, Tomasi reassured her crew that she was okay, stating, “Yeah, I’m good. I’m good.” Earlier in the day, she had been caught in a tense standoff between police and protesters, describing the situation as volatile. She noted that police were firing rubber bullets at demonstrators who were refusing to leave the area.
The protests erupted over Trump’s immigration crackdown, which included the deployment of approximately 300 California National Guard troops. The presence of the troops heightened tensions in the city, where demonstrators were angry about the government’s actions. As night fell, police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and began making arrests.
In a statement released by 9News, the network confirmed that Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet but emphasized that both she and her cameraman were safe. They highlighted the dangers journalists face while covering such events and underscored the importance of their work in informing the public.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also expressed concern, stating that all journalists should be able to perform their duties safely. Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek an explanation from the Trump administration, labeling the shooting of an Australian journalist as shocking and unacceptable.
The protests in Los Angeles were part of a larger movement against Trump’s immigration policies, which have drawn widespread criticism. Demonstrators blocked major freeways and clashed with police, who used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to manage the situation. Some protesters threw objects at officers, leading to a number of arrests over the weekend.
This incident has raised questions about the treatment of journalists during protests and the implications of deploying National Guard troops in response to civil unrest.