In a shocking turn of events that’s left both viewers and journalists reeling, an Australian reporter was shot in the leg by police while covering the escalating unrest in downtown Los Angeles.
The incident, captured live on camera, has sparked outrage and renewed debate about press freedom and the use of force during public protests.
Lauren Tomasi, a seasoned Nine News correspondent, was on the ground in LA’s central business district, reporting on the chaos that erupted following a series of mass deportation raids ordered by the Trump administration.
As she delivered her live cross, the situation around her rapidly deteriorated.
Police on horseback surged forward, rubber bullets flew, and the air was thick with tension.
Suddenly, the camera caught a chilling moment: An officer, visible in the background, raised his rifle and appeared to deliberately fire a rubber bullet at Tomasi from behind.
The shot rang out, and Tomasi’s scream of pain was audible to viewers at home.
‘You just f***ing shot the reporter!’ someone yelled, as the broadcast abruptly cut out so Tomasi and her cameraman could seek safety.
Thankfully, Tomasi was left sore but not seriously injured.
Nine News later confirmed she was able to move to safety and was recovering well, but the incident has raised serious questions about the risks journalists face while reporting from volatile situations—and the responsibilities of law enforcement to protect—not target—members of the press.
A city on edge: What sparked the unrest?
The violence in Los Angeles was triggered by a wave of coordinated deportation raids that began on 6 June.
Federal immigration agents swept through neighbourhoods like the Fashion District and Paramount, arresting over 100 people in a single day.
The raids, part of President Trump’s pledge to ramp up deportations and tighten the US-Mexico border, have been met with fierce resistance—not just from those directly affected, but from a broad coalition of community members, activists and local officials.
What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly spiralled into chaos.
Protesters clashed with police, who responded with crowd-control tactics including rubber bullets and mounted patrols.
At one point, a group of demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway, a major artery through downtown LA, bringing traffic to a standstill and drawing national attention to the unfolding crisis.
Political fallout: State vs federal showdown
The federal response to the protests has only added fuel to the fire.
President Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles was met with immediate condemnation from California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
Newsom called the move ‘unlawful’ and accused the President of overstepping his authority, arguing that the deployment violated state sovereignty and was designed to inflame tensions rather than restore order.
‘These are the acts of a dictator, not a President,’ Newsom declared on social media, demanding that the troops be withdrawn and control returned to state authorities.
The White House, for its part, insisted that the deployment was necessary to quell ‘chaos, violence and lawlessness’ and dismissed Newsom’s concerns as political posturing.
What’s next for Los Angeles—and for press freedom?
As protests continue and the political standoff between state and federal authorities intensifies, the eyes of the world remain fixed on Los Angeles.
With major international events on the horizon—including sports tournaments and cultural festivals—there are growing concerns about public safety and the city’s ability to maintain order without resorting to heavy-handed tactics.
Meanwhile, the debate over immigration policy, state sovereignty and the rights of protesters and journalists shows no sign of abating.
U.S. Correspondent Lauren Tomasi has been caught in the crossfire as the LAPD fired rubber bullets at protesters in the heart of Los Angeles. #9News
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025
LATEST: https://t.co/l5w7JxixxB pic.twitter.com/nvQ7m9TGLj
Legal challenges to the deportation raids are already underway, with advocates arguing that the sweeps have ensnared not just undocumented migrants but also legal residents and families with deep roots in the community.
Your turn: Have your say
This incident highlights the increasingly volatile environment surrounding public demonstrations and the challenges faced by journalists covering them.
As tensions continue to rise between federal and state authorities in the United States, questions remain about the appropriate balance between law enforcement, public safety, and civil liberties—particularly in the context of media freedom and the right to protest.
What are your thoughts on how this situation was handled? Do you believe the presence of media personnel should prompt greater caution from police during crowd control efforts? And what role do you think political decisions play in fuelling public unrest? We invite you to share your views in the comments below.
Also read: American influencer’s wildlife blunder sparks deportation demands
