Lauren Tomasi, the U.S. correspondent for Australia’s 9News, appeared to be shot by a rubber bullet while reporting on the immigration protests in Los Angeles.
9News published footage of the incident, claiming that Tomasi was deliberately targeted by a police officer in the downtown district during the third day of clashes over Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
A projectile appears to hit her leg, and Tomasi cries out in pain.
The reporter and her cameraperson then retreat, with a bystander shouting: “You just f*cking shot the reporter!” She is asked if she is OK, to which Tomasi replies: “I’m good, I’m good.” In a statement shared with The Guardian, 9News said: “Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet.
Nick Stern, a British news photographer, reportedly needed emergency surgery after sustaining a leg wound during the clashes.
The U’s Lauren Tomasi. S. . appears to have been struck by a rubber bullet while covering the immigration protests in Los Angeles as a correspondent for Australia’s 9News.
Tomasi was allegedly singled out by a police officer in the downtown area on the third day of protests over Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, according to video of the incident that was released by 9News.
“The situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of L,” she says as she concludes a live broadcast from the protests in the video. a. “”.
Then it looks like a policeman points a gun at Tomasi and starts shooting. When a projectile seems to strike her leg, Tomasi lets out a painful cry. After a bystander yells, “You just f*cking shot the reporter!” the reporter and her cameraperson flee, and when asked if she is okay, Tomasi responds, “I’m good, I’m good.”. “”.
9News stated in a statement provided to The Guardian: “A rubber bullet struck Lauren Tomasi. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will carry on with their vital job of documenting these events. “.”.
The network stated on Monday that this incident is a “sharp 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.”. “.”.
Sarah Hanson-Young, an Australian lawmaker, urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to bring up the incident with U. S. “Shocking” and “completely unacceptable,” according to President Donald Trump. “.”.
The protests have ensnared other journalists besides Tomasi. British news photographer Nick Stern reportedly suffered a leg wound during the clashes that required emergency surgery. Reports of protesters harassing journalists were also made.
