An Australian journalist was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests in Los Angeles on Sunday, as law enforcement moved to disperse demonstrators opposing President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The incident, caught on camera, has prompted diplomatic concern in Canberra and raised new questions about the treatment of journalists during civil unrest.
Lauren Tomasi, U.S. correspondent for Australia's 9News, was reporting live outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown Los Angeles when she was hit in the leg by what appeared to be a rubber projectile. Moments earlier, she described a rapidly deteriorating scene. "The LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA," she said, seconds before being struck.
Footage of the incident shows an officer taking aim in the direction of Tomasi and her camera crew. A bystander can be heard yelling, "You just f-ing shot the reporter!" Tomasi, visibly in pain, is seen grabbing her leg but assuring nearby protestors, "I'm good."
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement, "All journalists should be able to do their work safely. Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists." Lawmakers in Australia, including Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek "an urgent explanation" from the U.S. administration. "The first thing he [Albanese] must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists," Hanson-Young said.
The police fired rubber bullets at Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi while she was reporting live from Los Angeles today.
Appalling and unjustified.
pic.twitter.com/QLixvXawDg — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 9, 2025
Australian Senator Matt Canavan said the footage "looks like there was a targeting there," though he added, he was “loth to jump to conclusions." Greens Senator Nick McKim called on the Australian government to express "displeasure at what happened... at the highest possible level."
The Los Angeles Police Department had earlier issued an "unlawful assembly" order near the ICE field office on East Temple Street and warned media to "keep a safe distance from active operations." LAPD has not issued a statement regarding the incident.
9News confirmed in a statement: "Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events." The network added, "This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests."
Tomasi was not the only member of the press injured during the weekend demonstrations. British photojournalist Nick Stern, based in Los Angeles, was reportedly wounded by a non-lethal round during a standoff with police and required emergency surgery.
The protests, which have centered around recent immigration raids and detentions, entered a third day of confrontations between demonstrators and police. National Guard troops were deployed across parts of the city over the weekend, and clashes escalated outside federal buildings, including the Metropolitan Detention Centre where dozens of individuals were believed to be held.
