Journalist Hit by Rubber Bullet During Los Angeles Protest

Los Angeles Protest Turns Violent: Australian Reporter Hit by Rubber Bullet Los Angeles, CA – June 9, 2025 – Amidst escalating tensions during a protest in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8th, 2025, a shocking incident unfolded when Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, reporting live for Channel Nine News, was struck by a rubber bullet fired by law enforcement. The incident occurred during a demonstration against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The video footage clearly shows Tomasi reporting amidst a crowd of protesters when a rubber bullet impacts her leg. She is seen clutching her leg in pain, momentarily disrupting the broadcast before regaining her composure. The video then shows the police on horseback dispersing the crowd. "It was a really volatile day on the streets of Los Angeles," Tomasi later stated in an interview with Nine News Australia, confirming she was unharmed. The incident raises questions about the use of force by law enforcement during protests and highlights the risks faced by journalists covering such events. The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. The protest itself was largely peaceful until the police intervention. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of press freedom and the dangers faced by journalists in the field.