An Australian journalist has been shot with a rubber bullet while reporting live from the heart of the Los Angeles protests, as tensions flared over US immigration raids and the deployment of National Guard troops.
9News US correspondent Lauren Tomasi was caught in the crossfire as police moved to disperse demonstrators outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown LA on Sunday.
Tomasi was reporting on camera as the situation escalated, describing how “after hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA”.
Moments later, she was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet, with footage posted by 9News showing an officer aiming and firing in the direction of Tomasi and her camera operator.
The incident happened as US authorities, including the LAPD and National Guard, clashed with crowds protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Demonstrators had gathered outside the detention centre, chanting and confronting officers after a series of raids across the city that saw dozens detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tomasi’s reaction was caught on camera, with her heard crying out and grabbing her calf. A bystander shouted at the officer, “You just fucking shot the reporter!” When asked if she was okay, Tomasi replied, “I’m good.”
9News later confirmed in a statement that both Tomasi and her camera operator were safe and would continue their reporting, but described the incident 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”.
Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek “an urgent explanation” from the US administration.
Albanese may have the chance to raise the issue directly with President Trump at the upcoming G7 conference in Canada, though a meeting has not yet been confirmed.
“US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,” said Hanson-Young.
“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.”
The protests in Los Angeles erupted after aggressive ICE sweeps and the announcement that 2,000 National Guard troops would be deployed to the city.
As the fallout continues, press freedom advocates and Australian officials are demanding answers and assurances for the safety of journalists working in volatile environments. For now, Tomasi and her crew remain on the ground in LA, continuing to cover the story as it unfolds.
Learn about why these protests are happening HERE.
Lead image: Getty / 9News
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