Shocking Scene: Reporter Hit by Police Fire Whilst Covering Violent LA Protests

Los Angeles was gripped by chaos as protests turned violent, and one moment caught the world’s attention when an Australian journalist was shot on live TV.
A reporter, just doing her job, found herself in the middle of a dangerous clash between police and protesters.
This shocking incident has raised questions about safety and the role of journalists in tense situations.
What happened on that chaotic night, and what does it mean for those covering the news? Continue scrolling to watch the video.
LA Riots: Police Seen Shooting Reporter

On June 8, 2025, Lauren Tomasi, an Australian journalist working for Nine News, was reporting live from downtown Los Angeles.
The city was in its third day of protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Tensions were high as crowds clashed with police and National Guard troops near the Metropolitan Detention Centre.
Tomasi was describing the scene—police on horseback, rubber bullets flying—when suddenly, she was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet.
Video footage shows an officer aiming in her direction before firing, causing her to cry out in pain. A nearby protester shouted, “You just shot the reporter!”
Despite the injury, Tomasi reassured bystanders she was okay and moved to safety with her camera operator.
Nine News later confirmed that Tomasi was sore but unharmed. The incident sparked outrage, with Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young calling it “completely unacceptable” and urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand answers from U.S. authorities.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had declared the protest an unlawful assembly, using less-lethal munitions to control the crowd. But hitting a journalist raised serious concerns about press safety.
Violence Erupts in Los Angeles
The protests began in response to immigration raids and arrests across Los Angeles, with over 100 people detained in a week. Demonstrators blocked highways, set cars on fire, and threw objects like rocks and fireworks at police.
The LAPD and National Guard, deployed by President Trump, responded with tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets. At least two officers were injured when motorcyclists drove through the crowd, and dozens of protesters were arrested.
The unrest echoed past events, like the 1992 Los Angeles riots, though on a smaller scale. Those riots, sparked by the Rodney King verdict, caused widespread destruction and loss of life, showing how quickly tensions can escalate.
Another journalist, British photographer Nick Stern, was also injured during the protests, struck by a non-lethal round while covering a standoff in Paramount.
He required surgery for his wound, highlighting the dangers journalists face in such volatile situations. The Guardian reported that Stern initially feared he had been hit by a live round due to the intense pain and bleeding.
Press Freedom Under Threat
This incident has reignited debates about the safety of journalists covering protests. In 2020, during the George Floyd protests, numerous reporters were attacked or arrested despite clearly identifying as press.
The Guardian noted 148 such incidents across the U.S., with many journalists targeted even when wearing credentials. The LA riots shooting of Tomasi and Stern adds to growing concerns about how police treat the media during unrest.
Hanson-Young emphasized that “freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of democracy,” calling for accountability.
The LAPD has not commented directly on Tomasi’s case, but the department’s use of rubber bullets and other crowd-control measures has been criticized.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also clashed with Trump, calling the National Guard deployment unlawful and accusing him of escalating tensions.
s Los Angeles recovers from the unrest, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists take to bring the public the truth.
You might also want to read: Woman Arrested in Canberra Airport Trying to Catch Her Plane