Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi found herself caught in the middle of chaos while covering a protest in downtown Los Angeles. During a live broadcast, Tomasi was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet fired by police, despite being clearly identified as press.
Tomasi, who reports for Nine News Australia, was filming near the Metropolitan Detention Center when the incident occurred. What was supposed to be another day of on-the-ground reporting quickly turned into something far more dangerous.
Caught in the Crossfire
Footage of the moment shows Tomasi speaking calmly into the camera before suddenly flinching and screaming in pain. A rubber bullet had struck her leg, causing her to stumble and instinctively cover the injury. Her cameraman quickly stopped filming, and the team moved to safety.
Back in the studio later that day, Tomasi shared an update with viewers:
“I’ve got a massive bruise and it’s sore, but I’m OK,” she said with a smile, downplaying the incident. “I really don’t want to be the story here.”
Still, the footage has sparked international attention and raised serious questions about how police in the U.S. are using crowd-control weapons during protests—especially when journalists are present.
Protests in LA Turn Violent
Tomasi had been covering ongoing protests in response to controversial ICE raids in Los Angeles, which targeted undocumented immigrants. The raids, one of which took place in a Home Depot parking lot, drew thousands of protesters into the streets. Tensions escalated quickly, with demonstrators clashing with police, setting vehicles on fire, and blocking freeways.
Police responded with rubber bullets, tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades to control the crowds. At least 39 people were arrested over the weekend, and numerous injuries were reported—including those suffered by members of the media.
An Outrage Back Home
The incident didn’t go unnoticed in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the footage “horrific” and said he was disturbed by how visibly marked Tomasi was as a member of the press.
“There is no ambiguity here—she was clearly doing her job as a journalist,” the Prime Minister said. “Australia has raised this directly with the U.S. government.”
Australia’s Foreign Ministry has also demanded answers from U.S. officials and reiterated the importance of protecting journalists, no matter where they are reporting.
Greens Senator Nick McKim took it further, saying the shot looked deliberate and should be addressed at the “highest diplomatic levels.”
LAPD Responds, Investigation Underway
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed the department is looking into the incident. He admitted that rubber bullets are meant to be targeted carefully and said officers are trained to avoid hitting bystanders and members of the press.
“We’re reviewing all bodycam footage and officer conduct,” he said. “These are fast-moving situations, but that doesn’t excuse harm to clearly marked journalists.”
An internal investigation is now underway to determine whether proper protocol was followed.
A Growing Danger for Journalists
Tomasi isn’t the only reporter hurt during the recent wave of protests. British photographer Nick Stern was hit by a plastic bullet and required surgery. Multiple news outlets have reported that journalists are being pushed, shot at, or obstructed while trying to do their jobs.
Nine News, Tomasi’s network, released a statement emphasizing the danger their reporters face on the ground and called for greater protection for journalists during civil unrest.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the risks our reporters take every day to bring the truth to the public.”
Despite the scare, Tomasi is back on the job and committed to continuing her work.
“It’s part of the job,” she said. “It shouldn’t be, but we can’t stop telling these stories.”
Why This Story Matters
This incident underscores growing concern over how law enforcement handles protests—and the risks journalists take to keep the public informed. For Australian viewers, it’s a chilling reminder that even far from home, Aussie reporters are putting themselves in dangerous situations to bring stories to light.
Press freedom is a core democratic value. When journalists get hurt doing their jobs, it affects more than just the newsroom—it impacts how all of us stay informed.
