Australian Reporter Accidentally Shot with Rubber Bullet While Covering LA Anti-ICE Protests [WATCH]

An Australian journalist was shot with a rubber bullet live on-air while reporting on violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles over the weekend.

The dramatic moment, which was captured on camera, underscores the risks reporters face when covering volatile protests and raised diplomatic concerns between Australia and the United States.

Lauren Tomasi, a U.S. correspondent for Australia’s Nine News, was broadcasting from the frontlines of a rapidly escalating confrontation between protesters and police when she was struck.

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The protests, held in opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, brought thousands of demonstrators into the streets of downtown LA, effectively paralyzing the city.

As Tomasi narrated the unfolding events, she was suddenly hit by a rubber bullet fired by an officer of the Los Angeles Police Department.

“LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA,” she reported seconds before she cried out in pain after being struck in the leg.

The network released a statement confirming that both Tomasi and her camera operator were safe.

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“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,” Nine News stated.

Tomasi had been describing how the standoff situation had “rapidly deteriorated” prior to being caught in the line of fire.

The footage of her injury sparked widespread concern in Australia and prompted immediate responses from both the media and government officials.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded firmly, emphasizing the importance of journalistic freedom.

“All journalists should be able to do their work safely,” the agency said. “Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists.”

Image Credit: Nine News

The incident also stirred political outrage. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young of the Australian Greens party called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene directly with President Trump.

“Albanese must tell the president to stop shooting at our journalists,” she said. “Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a strong, functioning democracy.”

According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Albanese may have the opportunity to raise the issue directly with Trump during the upcoming G7 summit in Canada.

The protests in Los Angeles over the weekend were part of a larger wave of unrest across the country, sparked by outrage over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

Demonstrators focused their efforts around federal buildings, particularly those housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials who were reportedly detaining immigrants slated for deportation.

As tensions escalated, President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Saturday.

By Sunday evening, the president escalated the response further, announcing he had placed an additional 500 Marines on standby. “BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media platform.

Image Credit: Nine News

The president’s militarized approach to handling civil unrest has been met with strong criticism both domestically and internationally.

The use of rubber bullets and other crowd-control measures on journalists has reignited debate over police accountability and press freedom in protest zones.

While Tomasi’s injury was not life-threatening, the episode highlights the increasingly hostile environment in which journalists operate—particularly when covering protests that pit law enforcement against demonstrators.

The fact that the incident was caught live on television adds urgency to the international call for greater protections for media professionals.

The situation continues to evolve as federal and local authorities attempt to regain control of downtown Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions between Australia and the United States remain high, with many awaiting the outcome of any potential discussions between Prime Minister Albanese and President Trump.

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