The Australian reporter who was shot with a rubber bullet as she covered the Los Angeles immigration raid protests has shared an update on her well-being following the incident.
After a flood of messages, US correspondent Lauren Tomasi took to X (formerly Twitter) to assure people that she was doing well after the incident.
“Thanks for all your messages. I’m a bit sore, but I’m okay. Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told,” she wrote, before sharing the news report she was filming at the time.
Hey there. Thanks for all your messages – I'm a bit sore, but I'm okay. Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told. Here's our report on what unfolded in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/S8AvjQuFA7
— Lauren Tomasi (@LaurenTomasi) June 9, 2025
Tomasi spoke more about the painful occurrence on Melbourne’s 3AW radio.
“It really did hurt, I’d say they were the size of a golf ball,” she said.
“I guess it comes part and parcel of the job sometimes, but it does … give you a sense of … the situation here is out of control.”
Just hours after she was shot on camera, Tomasi appeared in a cross with 9News’ Peter Overton. She confirmed that she and her cameraman Jimmy were safe.
“I am okay. My cameraman Jimmy and I are safe,” she said.
“This is just one of the unfortunate realities of reporting on these kinds of incidents. It has been a really volatile day on the streets of Los Angeles.”
Tomasi went on to give an update on the protests.
“The city warned that if anyone moves through here, they will be arrested on the spot,” she continued.
“There has been a lot of tempers flaring here today, and certainly tonight, there is a lot of anger in the city of angels.”
Tomasi was on the scene reporting on the third day of violent protests in LA for 9News.
Just moments after she wrapped up her to-camera cross, a riot officer can be seen turning to aim at her and firing a rubber bullet in Tomasi’s direction. The bullet hit her on the leg, and she yelped in pain as the camera panned off her, with the cameraman Jimmy checking to see if she was alright.
Nine — which wholly owns PEDESTRIAN.TV — confirmed the shooting in a statement.
“Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events,” a spokesperson said.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information.”
The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage in Australia and around the world.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek an “urgent explanation” from the US administration when he meets with President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 conference in Canada.
“US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,” said Hanson-Young in a statement.
“It is completely unacceptable and must be called out.
“The Prime Minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration. As Albanese is preparing for his first meeting with President Trump, the first thing he must tell the President is to stop shooting at our journalists. Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a strong, functioning democracy.”
US authorities shooting Australian journalists. Shocking.
— 💚🌏 Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) June 9, 2025
This is completely unacceptable and must be called out.
Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a strong, functioning democracy. https://t.co/DE4fAvUHPl
The protests in LA kicked off on Friday (local time) following the arrest of more than 100 immigrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move comes after Trump instated a controversial crackdown on illegal immigrants by vowing to deport at least 3000 migrantd each day.
Trump ordered more than 2000 troops from the California National Guard to hit the streets on Saturday night. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that the Trump administration infringed on his authority by deploying the troops without consulting him first.
“There is a protocol, there is a process. He didn’t care about that,” Newsom told NBC News. Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said that he will be suing the Trump administration for the “infringement” on Newsom’s authority and be seeking a court ruling that Trump’s move was illegal.
“The president is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends,” Bonta said.
“Federalising the California National Guard is an abuse of the President’s authority under the law, and not one we take lightly. We’re asking a court to put a stop to the unlawful, unprecedented order.”
The lawsuit is expected to be filed later today.
The post Aussie Journalist ‘Sore But Okay’ After Being Shot With A Rubber Bullet In LA Protests appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
