Australian reporter was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests against the U.S. immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, with the incident captured live on camera.
Lauren Tomasi, the U.S. correspondent for Nine News, was reporting from the scene on Sunday when law enforcement authorities, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and National Guard troops clashed with demonstrators protesting former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Just moments before she was shot, Tomasi was broadcasting live, describing an escalation in the situation: “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.” Seconds later, she was hit in the leg.
Footage shows an officer aiming and firing in the direction of Tomasi and her camera operator.
Tomasi can be seen crying out and grabbing her calf. A bystander is heard shouting at the officer, “You just fucking shot the reporter!”
Tomasi, while in visible pain, responded to bystanders’ concern by saying, “I’m good.”
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) responded to the incident, issuing a statement reaffirming Australia’s support for press freedom and journalist safety. “All journalists should be able to do their work safely,” the statement read.
“Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists.”
Political reaction in Australia was swift. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called the shooting “simply shocking” and urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek an urgent explanation from U.S. officials. “The first thing he must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists,” she said, calling the act “completely unacceptable.”
Senator Nick McKim echoed those sentiments, saying the Australian government must express its displeasure at the highest possible level, urging either the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister to take immediate diplomatic action.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan acknowledged the footage appeared to show deliberate targeting but urged caution. “It looks like there was a targeting there,” he told the ABC, adding, “I’m loth to jump to conclusions when you just see part of the footage. A detailed investigation of all these matters should take place.”
However, Nine News confirmed that Tomasi and her camera operator were safe and would continue their reporting. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests,” the network said.
The protest was centered around the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown Los Angeles, near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office, where detainees were being held following immigration raids earlier that day.
Geolocation data from the footage placed Tomasi at 257 E Temple Street within the declared unlawful assembly zone by the LAPD.
The LAPD has not yet released a statement regarding the incident, though it had earlier issued warnings for media to maintain a safe distance from active police operations.
On Saturday, a British news photographer based in Los Angeles was also injured during a separate standoff between police and anti-ICE protesters.
Nick Stern revealed that he was likely struck by a non-lethal round as police deployed rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.
The incidents have reignited concerns over press safety and the conduct of law enforcement during public demonstrations.
