A 9News reporter has been caught in the crossfire of chaotic protests that have engulfed parts of Los Angeles.
US correspondent Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet fired by a police officer who was standing guard in the city’s downtown district.
It happened on the third day of violent protests that erupted in the US’s second-most populous city in response to sweeping arrests of alleged illegal immigrants.
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Tomasi was struck as she reported live near the front line of the protests surrounding the city’s metropolitan detention centre.
Just seconds after she wrapped up a live cross to Australia, one of the officers turned his gun towards Tomasi and fired at her from close range.
She yelled in pain before the camera turned away. Tomasi was left sore but otherwise unharmed.
The shooting came about an hour after Tomasi was caught in the middle of a group of protesters.
She was trying to talk over the sound of gunfire and exploding flashbang grenades when a protester grabbed the camera she was talking into.
“They’ve told people to get out of this area, and protesters have been refusing,” Tomasi said.
“We are safe here. It’s just noisy. But you can see the volatility. I can see police here are firing rubber bullets at these protesters.”
The live cross was abruptly ended to allow Tomasi and the cameraman to get to safety.
In a statement, Nine, the publisher of this website, said: “Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events.
“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.”
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the incident with US President Donald Trump.
“US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,” Hanson-Young said.
“It is completely unacceptable and must be called out.
“The prime minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration. As Albanese is preparing for his first meeting with President Trump, the first thing he must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists.
“Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a strong, functioning democracy.”
