An Australian journalist has been shot in the leg with a rubber bullet while covering explosive protests in Los Angeles, raising fresh concerns over the safety of the press on the frontlines of civil unrest.
Lauren Tomasi, U.S. correspondent for Australia’s 9News, was reporting live from the scene on Sunday, 8 June, when an armed police officer allegedly fired directly at her, hitting the back of her left leg.
The incident occurred amid violent street protests triggered by President Donald Trump’s latest immigration raids, which have sparked citywide outrage, confrontations, and the deployment of National Guard troops.
According to 9News, Tomasi is bruised and in pain but otherwise not seriously hurt. The network described the moment as deeply disturbing, as Tomasi was clearly identifiable as a member of the press.
Caught in the Crossfire
Only an hour before being struck, Tomasi had been swept into a volatile crowd of protesters while reporting live. Flashbang grenades exploded nearby as demonstrators shouted at her and grabbed at the news camera she was speaking into.
Despite the chaos, she continued to report from the scene, until the rubber bullet struck her leg.
Why LA Is Boiling Over
Protests erupted across Los Angeles on Friday, 6 June, after Trump authorised aggressive immigration enforcement operations. What started as small gatherings quickly escalated into major demonstrations, many turning violent.
By the weekend, tensions reached a breaking point. Police declared multiple protests “unlawful assemblies” and began deploying flashbang grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets to clear crowds.
The city’s 101 Freeway was blocked by protesters, and several vehicles were torched as unrest gripped central LA.
Trump and Newsom Trade Blame
California Governor Gavin Newsom lashed out at Trump for what he called a manufactured crisis. In a blistering social media post, he accused the president of stoking violence:
“Let’s get this straight:
- Local law enforcement didn’t need help.
- Trump sent troops anyway − to manufacture chaos and violence.
- Trump succeeded.
- Now things are destabilised and we need to send in more law enforcement just to clean up Trump’s mess.”
Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling the protests “riots” and labelling demonstrators as “troublemakers and insurrectionists.” He also demanded apologies from Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, slamming their handling of the situation.
Journalists Under Fire
Tomasi’s experience highlights a growing trend of journalists being targeted or injured while covering protests, despite being clearly marked as press.
Her case is part of a disturbing pattern raising alarms about press freedom, police conduct, and the rising risks faced by frontline reporters in protest zones.
