In a harrowing moment broadcast live on air, Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet while covering escalating riots in Los Angeles. Working as a U.S. correspondent for Nine News, Tomasi was reporting from the heart of the unrest when the incident occurred. As she described the aggressive police response—officers on horseback firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds—a loud crack rang out, and she suddenly recoiled in pain. The shocking footage, now viral, shows an officer seemingly aiming directly at the reporter, prompting nearby protesters to shout in disbelief: “You just f***ing shot a reporter!”
The protests, now entering their third day, erupted in response to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, including sweeping ICE raids and a new executive order barring entry from several countries. Downtown LA has become the epicenter of unrest, with cars torched, tear gas deployed, and demonstrators chaining themselves to structures in acts of defiance. In response, the National Guard has been deployed, and local police have been authorized to use so-called “less lethal munitions”—a term that now rings hollow for those injured, including members of the press
Despite the chaos, Tomasi remained remarkably composed, assuring viewers shortly after being hit that she was “sore but otherwise unharmed.” The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has since issued a statement reaffirming the importance of press freedom and the right of journalists to work safely. As tensions continue to rise and law enforcement ramps up its presence, the incident underscores a sobering reality: even those tasked with documenting the truth are not immune from becoming part of the story
