then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Heavily Armed Cops Hit TV News Reporter With Rubber Bullet During LA Riots As Trump Deploys National Guard
Police officers shot an Australian reporter with a rubber bullet as she covered the ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
U.S. correspondent for 9News, Lauren Tomasi, was reporting in the city on the third day of protests, Sunday evening, when police turned towards her and fired.
“After hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated,” Tomasi told the camera as shots could be heard in the background.
- Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet by LAPD while covering anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
- British photographer Nick Stern was also injured by a police sponge bullet and required emergency surgery during the protests.
- President Trump deployed the National Guard to LA, marking the first activation without governor approval since 1965.
- Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal troop deployment, calling it unlawful and a breach of California state sovereignty.
Reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet while covering the LA riots
Image credits: Homeland Security
“The LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protestors, moving them on through the heart of LA,” she continued.
As Tomasi stopped talking, an officer in the background turned towards her and fired a shot at her feet.
She shouts in pain, grabs her ankle, and hobbles away from the officer.
Several protestors ask if she is okay, while one shouts at police, “You just f***ing shot a reporter.”
“I’m good, I’m good,” Tomasi tells those asking.
Her employer, Nine, released a statement to say she is safe and will continue to report.
“Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events,” Nine said.
“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.”
Image credits: Homeland Security
British photographer Nick Stern was also shot by police and had to undergo emergency surgery.
Stern, 60, was taking pictures of the protests when a 14mm “sponge bullet” hit his thigh.
The incidents come after U.S. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to LA in response to violent protests opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
It is the first time the National Guard has been activated without a state governor’s request since 1965.
The protests erupted over the weekend following reports of ICE operations targeting undocumented immigrants across the city, reportedly including a clothing warehouse, a doughnut shop, and two Home Depot stores.
The protests were sparked by a series of ICE raids across the city
Image credits: Pete Hegseth
Outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, demonstrators demanded that those being detained be released, and some tried to physically block ICE vehicles.
What began as largely peaceful marches quickly escalated in several locations, with clashes reported between protestors and law enforcement.
On Sunday, at least 2,000 protestors took over the 101 Freeway in downtown LA.
Traffic was brought to a standstill as both lanes of the major highway were blocked and riot police used gas canisters on protestors to try and force them off the road.
Image credits: US Border Patrol
Multiple police cars were damaged and self-driving cars were also set ablaze, causing street closures due to the toxic fumes.
The LAPD also used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds in the city, after some demonstrators set fire to police vehicles and broke store windows.
An unlawful assembly declaration was issued for the area of the Civic Center part of LA.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said a total of 27 people had been arrested on Sunday across the city.
“Peaceful protest.”
Call it what it is: a violent riot. pic.twitter.com/iNltWAH5wp
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) June 8, 2025
Image credits: TriciaOhio
“The LAPD supports and protects the First Amendment right to free speech. In recent days many protests across the city have been peaceful and we thank the community for expressing their views and their frustration in a responsible manner,” he said.
“However, when peaceful demonstrations devolve into acts of vandalism or violence, especially violence directed at innocent people, law enforcement officers, and others, we must respond firmly.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE arrested 118 illegal immigrants in LA last week, sparking the ongoing protests.
They say this number included five gang members and those with prior criminal histories of drug trafficking, assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and people smuggling.
Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the decision to send 2,000 National Guard troops
Image credits: US Border Patrol
California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the decision to send 2,000 troops to the state and says Trump has created chaos and instigated violence.
“I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command,” he said.
“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the deployment as “common sense,” and he also threatened to deploy active-duty Marines.
Our law enforcement officers are just doing their jobs.
Violence and intimidation against federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The United States is a nation of laws, and lawbreakers will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/0wytuvEO5R
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 8, 2025
“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK,” he said.
“Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE.
“The @DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”
Image credits: Donald J Trump
Trump has criticized Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, who also accused Trump of provoking the mass protests.
He has also ordered the arrest of anyone wearing face masks during protests as he urged LA to “bring in the troops.”
“Governor Gavin Newscum and ‘Mayor’ Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they have done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots,” he said.
“These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists. Remember, NO MASKS!”
“Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS,” Trump later added. “ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!”
According to rcfp.org: "Under the First Amendment, journalists covering protests have the same rights as other members of the public to observe, photograph, and record in public places. That includes the right to be free from arrests or assaults motivated by hostility to their coverage or by a desire to prevent reporting on public demonstrations. In addition to the Constitution’s prohibition on retaliation, even good-faith police orders that limit newsgathering by, for instance, requiring a reporter to move to a different location must be narrowly tailored to a substantial government interest — such as preventing interference with law enforcement duties — and must leave open adequate alternative opportunities to gather the news." Stop victim blaming and consider how she should have been treated and who failed to do so. She's not at fault here. It's not like national guard personnel all have an irresistible compulsion to shoot people who aren't wearing protective gear.
Load More Replies... According to rcfp.org: "Under the First Amendment, journalists covering protests have the same rights as other members of the public to observe, photograph, and record in public places. That includes the right to be free from arrests or assaults motivated by hostility to their coverage or by a desire to prevent reporting on public demonstrations. In addition to the Constitution’s prohibition on retaliation, even good-faith police orders that limit newsgathering by, for instance, requiring a reporter to move to a different location must be narrowly tailored to a substantial government interest — such as preventing interference with law enforcement duties — and must leave open adequate alternative opportunities to gather the news." Stop victim blaming and consider how she should have been treated and who failed to do so. She's not at fault here. It's not like national guard personnel all have an irresistible compulsion to shoot people who aren't wearing protective gear.
Load More Replies...
18
3