In a shocking twist during the fiery Los Angeles protests against sweeping federal immigration raids, Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck by a police-fired rubber bullet – that some suggest was “purposeful” – while broadcasting live from the frontline.
On June 6, in “an extraordinary show of force,” federal agents stormed a Los Angeles Fashion District apparel factory, “one of at least three immigration sweeps conducted in Los Angeles,” the New York Times reports.
News of the raids spread like wildfire, and within hours, waves of furious protesters flooded the streets – chanting, blocking traffic, and going toe-to-toe with riot police and tactical squads in a showdown that brought the city to a boiling point.
By nightfall, rioters had taken to the streets, chanting, blocking traffic, and clashing with law enforcement.
Initially, LAPD officers were ordered to stand down, leaving federal agents exposed and under siege.
Rioters launched fireworks, threw bricks, and even torched vehicles, and President Donald Trump called in the National Guard – the first time since 1965’s Watts Riots that federal troops have occupied LA without state approval.
‘Firing rubber bullets’
Right in the middle of it all was Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who on June 8 was calmly narrating the chaotic scene outside the Metropolitan Detention Center – a hot spot for protests – for 9News Australia.
“They’ve told people to get out of this area, and protesters have been refusing,” Tomasi told the news anchors in her live report. “We are safe here. It’s just noisy. But you can see the volatility. I can see police here are firing rubber bullets at these protesters.”
And then, the live feed ended to “allow Tomasi and the cameraman to get to safety,” 9News reported.
‘Turned his gun towards Tomasi’
About an hour later, Tomasi was again broadcasting, and the “situation,” she explained, had “rapidly deteriorated.”
“The LAPD moving in on horseback,” she shared in her live report, the sound of gunfire echoing through the street around her.
Only seconds after she described how police on horseback were dispersing demonstrators and firing rubber bullets, the US correspondent became the story.
“Just seconds after she wrapped up a live cross to Australia, one of the officers turned his gun towards Tomasi and fired at her from close range,” 9News reports.
Tomasi – who will soon take on the role of Washington Bureau correspondent – can be seen doubling down after she was struck by a rubber bullet fired by a police officer, whose gun smoke can be seen filling the air behind her.
“You just f***ing shot a reporter!” one protester shouted at police, as others rushed to check on the stunned journalist, asking if she was alright.
“I’m good, I’m good,” Tomasi replied.
‘Tempers flaring’
“I’m okay. My cameraman Jimmy and I are both safe,” she confirmed that same evening. “This is just one of the unfortunate realities of reporting on these kinds of incidents.”
“It has been a really volatile day on the streets of Los Angeles, and I do want to show you the scene here tonight,” she said from the dark, quiet streets of the city center. “This entire area has been cleared out. The city warned that if anyone moves through here, they will be arrested on the spot.”
“There has been a lot of tempers flaring here today and certainly tonight there is a lot of anger in the city of angels,” she added.
“Purposeful close range shot
Once the footage was shared across the globe, tempers flared even more over the incident that some suggest was a “purposeful” shot against an “unarmed journalist.”
You can see him take aim directly at her. Insane,” tweets one netizen alongside a clip that shows the officer pointing his weapon her way.
“This jerkoff police officer who shot Australian Journalist Lauren Tomasi while she was clearly holding a microphone needs to be fired yesterday. It’s insane that they’re crying about riots while they are obviously trying to provoke one,” rages a second internet user.
“Directly aims at her, as she is moving away, and clearly on air. No threat. No one between them. It wasn’t a missed shot. It was purposeful!” wrote a third, who also shared an image that shows the cop appearing to target Tomasi.
Agreeing the shooting was “purposeful,” another adds, “He aims right at her. No one in between them. No chance of it being a missed shot. A purposeful close range shot, at an unarmed journalist, who was walking away.”
‘Stop shooting at our journalists’
Meanwhile, the publisher of 9News released a statement explaining that Tomasi and her camera operator are “safe and will continue their essential work covering these events.”
“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.”
South Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young didn’t hold back – demanding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese take the incident straight to President Trump’s doorstep.
“US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,” Hanson-Young said told 9News. “It is completely unacceptable and must be called out.
“The prime minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration. As Albanese is preparing for his first meeting with President Trump, the first thing he must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists.”
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