Australian Journalist Shot At While Covering Los Angeles Immigration Protest, Incident Caught On Camera

<p>An Australian journalist was shot at by a rubber bullet while reporting live on anti-immigration protests in Los Angeles, United States. The incident was caught live on camera, and showed the 9News correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, being shot in the leg near the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where demonstrators were rallying against immigration raids linked to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s policies.</p>
<p>Footage captured during the broadcast shows the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) engaging with protesters as they clashed with the forces over immigration crackdown. “After hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated. The LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA,” Tomasi can be heard saying in the video. <br /><br />Shortly after, she was hit by a rubber bullet in her leg, which was fired by an LAPD officer, who can be seen taking aim in Tomasi’s direction. The reporter was seen reacting in pain, grabbing her calf after being hit.</p>
<p>A bystander&rsquo;s voice can be heard yelling, &ldquo;You just ****** shot the reporter!&rdquo;</p>
<p>Someone in the video can then be heard checking in on her, asking if she was fine. “Yeah, I’m good…I’m good,” she replied.</p>
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<h3>9News, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Dept React&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Following the incident, 9News issued a statement confirming Tomasi had been hit by a rubber bullet but was safe. &ldquo;Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events,&rdquo; the network said, adding the incident underscores the dangers journalists face while reporting from volatile environments.</p>
<p>”This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information,” the statement read, according to a report by The Guardian.</p>
<p>The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) condemned the incident, affirming the nation&rsquo;s stance on press freedom. &ldquo;All journalists should be able to do their work safely. Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists,&rdquo; the statement read.</p>
<p>The Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young described the shooting as &ldquo;shocking&rdquo; and urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand an explanation from the US. &ldquo;The first thing he must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists,&rdquo; she said.</p>
<p>Nationals Senator Matt Canavan told the ABC that the footage &ldquo;looks like there was a targeting there,&rdquo; calling for a thorough investigation. Greens Senator Nick McKim agreed, demanding the government register its displeasure &ldquo;at the highest possible level.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The location of the shooting, confirmed via video geolocation, was 257 E Temple Street, near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. It was declared an “unlawful assembly” zone by LAPD, who had previously advised media personnel to &ldquo;keep a safe distance&rdquo; from operations.<br /><br />This latest incident follows the wounding of British photojournalist Nick Stern a day earlier, also in Los Angeles. Stern told The Guardian that he was struck by what he believed was a non-lethal round during a protest where crowd-control weapons and flash-bangs were being used.</p>