Australian reporter shot with rubber bullet during LA protests Video

An Australian reporter was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, with the incident captured live on camera.

US authorities, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and National Guard troops, clashed with demonstrators on June 8, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued a statement saying, “all journalists should be able to do their work safely.” The statement added, “Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists.”

Lauren Tomasi, Nine News’ US correspondent, was reporting live when she was hit. She said, “after hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA.”

Seconds later, Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Video footage showed an officer aiming at Tomasi and her camera operator before firing. Tomasi can be heard crying out and clutching her calf. A bystander shouted, “You just fucking shot the reporter!”

When asked if she was alright, Tomasi replied, “I’m good.”

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek “an urgent explanation” from the US government. Albanese is expected to meet Trump next week at the G7 summit in Canada, although a meeting has not been confirmed.

Hanson-Young described the shooting of an Australian journalist as “simply shocking” and “completely unacceptable.”

She said, “The first thing he [Albanese] must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists. Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a strong, functioning democracy.”

Meanwhile, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel described the situation on X as one involving “marauding criminals.” Speaking publicly, Patel vowed to restore law and order in the city without hesitation.

He said, “Just so we are clear, this FBI needs no one’s permission to enforce the constitution. My responsibility is to the American people, not political punch lines. LA is under siege by marauding criminals, and we will restore law and order. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev