Who is Lauren Tomasi? Australian Reporter Shot with Rubber Bullet

Lauren Tomasi, an Australian journalist, has been shot with a rubber bullet while reporting live from protests in Los Angeles opposing immigration raids. The incident, involving Nine News US correspondent Lauren Tomasi, was captured on camera.

The protest took place on Sunday, with demonstrators clashing with both the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and national guard troops. The demonstration was in response to former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement following the incident, emphasizing the importance of press safety: “All journalists should be able to do their work safely.” The statement further added, “Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists.”

Just moments before being struck, Tomasi was reporting on the escalating situation. “After hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated,” she said. “The LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA.”

Seconds later, video footage shows an officer aiming and firing a rubber bullet in the direction of Tomasi and her camera operator. She cries out in pain, grabbing her leg. A nearby bystander can be heard yelling, “You just fucking shot the reporter!”

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

Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot by LAPD with rubber bullets while covering the protests in L.A. pic.twitter.com/WtLnzfrEHu

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 9, 2025

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand “an urgent explanation” from the United States. Albanese may have the opportunity to speak with Trump at the upcoming G7 conference in Canada, although no meeting has yet been confirmed.

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

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

Nationals senator Matt Canavan, speaking to the ABC, noted, “It looks like there was a targeting there,” but cautioned against drawing conclusions based solely on partial footage. He stated that “a detailed investigation of all these matters” was necessary.

Greens senator Nick McKim also urged swift and high-level action. “The Australian government needs to make its displeasure at what happened abundantly clear … And it needs to happen now. We don’t need to wait,” he said. “It should be done at the highest possible level. If the prime minister is not going to pick up the phone, the minister for foreign affairs absolutely should.”

According to Nine News, the protest was centered around the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown LA, where individuals were being held after earlier immigration raids.

The network confirmed that Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet during the coverage. “Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events,” Nine said in a statement. “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.”

Video geolocation placed Lauren Tomasi at 257 E Temple Street in Los Angeles, on the same block as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office, which was the main focus of the protest.

The LAPD had declared an “unlawful assembly” in the area and had previously warned, “media partners, please keep a safe distance from active operations.” The department has been contacted for comment.

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