LAPD Under Fire After Australian Reporter Shot During LA Protests
An Australian journalist was struck by a rubber bullet fired by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) while reporting live from the scene of anti-immigration protests in downtown Los Angeles, sparking international condemnation and renewed scrutiny of police tactics during civil unrest.
Lauren Tomasi, U.S. correspondent for Australia's Nine News, was covering demonstrations near the Metropolitan Detention Center on June 8 when she was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet allegedly fired by LAPD officers attempting to disperse a crowd following a declaration of unlawful assembly. The protests erupted in response to a federal crackdown on immigration ordered by former President Donald Trump, which included the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city.
Footage of the incident, broadcast live on Nine News Australia, shows the reporter visibly marked as press and standing well outside the front lines of the protest. Despite this, officers discharged less-lethal munitions in her direction, hitting her with a rubber bullet. A bystander’s shocked voice was captured on camera yelling, “You just f****** shot the reporter!”
While Tomasi was not seriously injured and continued to report after the incident, the shooting has drawn intense backlash from journalists, human rights groups, and political leaders on both sides of the Pacific.
Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called the incident “simply shocking” and demanded an explanation from the U.S. government. “Australia must stand up for press freedom. Our journalists should never be targeted while doing their jobs,” she said, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to formally raise the matter with President Trump.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it is in contact with Tomasi and monitoring the situation closely. “We expect all journalists—Australian or otherwise—to be able to report safely and without fear of violence,” DFAT said in a statement.
In a parallel incident, British photojournalist Nick Stern was also reportedly injured by crowd-control projectiles while covering the same protests, despite being clearly identified as a member of the press.
Civil rights advocates have criticized LAPD’s tactics as excessive and dangerous. “This is not crowd control. This is suppression,” said a representative from the Committee to Protect Journalists. “The LAPD has a duty to protect reporters, not attack them.”
Legal experts note that the LAPD may have violated both First Amendment protections for the press and international norms regarding the treatment of foreign journalists. Critics argue that the department’s crowd control approach has increasingly resembled militarized crackdowns, especially when handling politically sensitive protests.
Calls for accountability are mounting. Advocacy groups are demanding a full investigation into the decision to deploy rubber bullets near journalists and for disciplinary action to be taken against officers involved. Additionally, both Australian and American press organizations are pushing for stronger protections for reporters covering protests and civil unrest.
As of now, the LAPD has not issued a formal apology but stated it is reviewing the incident.
Video;
https://youtu.be/t42UBBolOvo?si=mi5DTIS6WobMA2ya
Source Bibliography
Australian sources:
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson–Young on urgent explanation: The Guardian, 9 June 2025.
Nine News confirmation of injury and press safety: Hindustan Times (citing Nine), 9 June 2025.
American & International sources:
“Australian news reporter Lauren Tomasi shot by Los Angeles police while covering anti‑immigration protests…” New York Post via Reuters, 9 June 2025.
“Reporter shot by rubber bullet on live TV…” People, 9 June 2025.
“Journalist shot with rubber bullet while covering Los Angeles protests” The Independent, 9 June 2025.
Hanson-Young, Sarah. “Must Be Called Out: PM under Pressure after 9News Reporter Shot with Rubber Bullet during LA Protests.” News.com.au, 9 June 2025.
Tomasi, Lauren. “Australian Reporter Shot by LAPD during Live Coverage of LA Protests.” Nine News Australia, 8 June 2025.
“Reporter Shot by Rubber Bullet on Live TV While Covering Immigration Protests in Los Angeles.” People, 9 June 2025.
“Journalist Shot with Rubber Bullet While Covering Los Angeles Protests.” The Independent, 9 June 2025.
“Australian Reporter Lauren Tomasi Shot by Police in Los Angeles.” Hindustan Times, 9 June 2025.
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