An Australian journalist reporting live from downtown Los Angeles was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet during the intense protests against President Trump’s immigration policies, her news organization confirmed.
Lauren Tomasi, a correspondent for 9News, was on air Sunday when an officer standing behind her fired a non-lethal round at close range. The footage shows Tomasi, who appears without protective gear, suddenly wince in pain and clutch her lower leg as the camera pulls away and the crew moves back from the police line.
Off-camera, a voice can be heard yelling, “You just shot the reporter.”
Despite the shock, Tomasi reassured her team that she was okay, saying, “Yeah, I’m good, I’m good.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the incident Tuesday, calling it “horrific” and unacceptable.
“She’s holding up well—very resilient—but watching that video was disturbing,” Albanese told reporters. He emphasized that Tomasi was clearly identified as a journalist, and that such treatment toward media professionals is simply not acceptable.
Albanese also confirmed that the Australian government has formally raised the issue with U.S. officials, though he declined to share more details.
The protests in Los Angeles started with a few hundred participants on Friday but swelled into thousands by Sunday, with demonstrators blocking major freeways and setting self-driving cars on fire in response to the crackdown on immigration.
In response, President Trump labeled the protesters “troublemakers and insurrectionists” and deployed approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, despite objections from California’s Governor Gavin Newsom. This marks the first time since 1967 that the National Guard was sent into the state without the governor’s approval.
Earlier on Sunday, Tomasi and her crew found themselves caught between protesters and riot police. During the chaotic scene, a protester grabbed the camera mid-broadcast, forcing Tomasi to shout over the noise.
“They’ve told people to clear the area, but many are refusing,” she reported. “We’re safe for now, but it’s very volatile.”
Speaking to 9News on Monday, Tomasi confirmed she and her cameraman were unharmed.
“We’re both okay. Unfortunately, this is sometimes part of reporting on events like this,” she said.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell reported that by Sunday night, police had arrested 39 people in connection with the protests—29 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.
Holy shit, I know we hate MSM, but this is crazy. LAPD literally turn to aim, fire and successfully shoot the reporter. 😳😬 pic.twitter.com/KyhsOBrPDG
— Bec Freedom (@BecFreedom) June 9, 2025
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