Reporter Shot By Rubber Bullet On Live TV While Covering Los Angeles ICE Protests

A reporter was hit by a rubber bullet on live TV while covering the Los Angeles ICE protests. 9News Australia’s U.S. correspondent Lauren Tomasi was in the field as LAPD clashed with demonstrators in the downtown district amid outrage over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the city. The outlet shared footage of Tomasi describing the scene on camera when a rubber bullet appeared to strike her leg near the end of her report. Despite her initial scream, Tomasi could be heard saying, “I’m good” and later confirmed to 9News that she and her cameraman are safe. As of June 9, it was not confirmed which law enforcement agency the officer who fired the shot was working for. The LAPD reportedly has no comment on any specific incident related to the protests. According to CNN, Australia’s Department of Foreign Trade issued a statement of support for Tomasi, noting that “all journalists should be able to do their work safely.” The moment comes after President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles against the wishes of California governor Gavin Newsom and LA mayor Karen Bass, the former of whom called the decision “purposefully inflammatory” and an attempt to “manufacture a crisis.” The move is the first of its kind since the 1960s. The protests began on June 6 after federal agents launched operations in three locations across Los Angeles resulting in more than 100 immigrants being taken into custody, per ICE. The LAPD has said it does not assist or participate in mass deportations or determine an individual’s immigration status, and confirmed on June 9 that dozens of demonstrators were arrested over the weekend including one person suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail at an officer. In addition to rubber bullets, law enforcement is said to have used tear gas to disperse protestors.