Lauren Tomasi, the U.S. correspondent for Australia’s 9News, appeared to be shot by a rubber bullet while reporting on the immigration protests in Los Angeles.
9News published footage of the incident, claiming that Tomasi was deliberately targeted by a police officer in the downtown district during the third day of clashes over Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The video captures her wrapping up a live broadcast from the protests, telling viewers that the “situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of L.A.”
A police officer then appears to raise their gun in Tomasi’s direction and fire. A projectile appears to hit her leg, and Tomasi cries out in pain. The reporter and her cameraperson then retreat, with a bystander shouting: “You just f*****g shot the reporter!” She is asked if she is ok, to which Tomasi replies: “I’m good, I’m good.”
U.S. Correspondent Lauren Tomasi has been caught in the crossfire as the LAPD fired rubber bullets at protesters in the heart of Los Angeles. #9News
LATEST: https://t.co/l5w7JxixxB pic.twitter.com/nvQ7m9TGLj
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025
In a statement shared with The Guardian, 9News said: “Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events.”
“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 network said on Monday.”
Australian lawmaker Sarah Hanson-Young urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the incident with U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as “shocking” and “completely unacceptable.”
Tomasi is not the only journalist to be caught up in the protests. Nick Stern, a British news photographer, reportedly needed emergency surgery after sustaining a leg wound during the clashes. There were also reports of journalists being harassed by protestors.
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