Nine News issues statement after Australian reporter was shot live on TV during LA riots

Police shot an Australian reporter with a rubber bullet while she was reporting live from the violent protests in LA. Nine News has since issued a statement about the incident.

Nine News US correspondent Lauren Tomasi reported from the chaos on Sunday, 8 June, as violent protests erupted over Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Protesters filled the streets, set fires, and clashed with police, who responded forcefully.

While filming on Temple Street in downtown LA, Tomasi was updating viewers when police moved in on horseback and began firing rubber bullets. Just seconds later, a rubber bullet hit her. A nearby bystander shouted, “You just f**king shot the reporter!”

Thankfully, Tomasi and her camera operator are okay. After the shot, she quickly reassured those around her, saying, “I’m good.”

In a video shared by Nine News, an officer appears to aim directly toward Tomasi’s crew before firing. The moment was all caught on camera.

U.S. Correspondent Lauren Tomasi has been caught in the crossfire as the LAPD fired rubber bullets at protesters in the heart of Los Angeles. #9News

LATEST: https://t.co/l5w7JxixxB pic.twitter.com/nvQ7m9TGLj

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025

Nine News has issued a statement

Nine later issued a strong statement and confirmed that Lauren Tomasi, the Australian reporter, was shot by a rubber bullet. It read: “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.”

Tomasi was reporting outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in LA. Several officers detained multiple people earlier in the day following immigration raids.

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Before the violence broke out, LAPD had already warned people to stay away. They posted on X: “An UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared for the Civic Center area of DTLA. A number of people have been arrested.” They also told media to “keep a safe distance from active operations.”

Downtown Los Angeles has been declared as an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.

You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately.

— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 9, 2025

Now, Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to get “an urgent explanation” from LAPD. She said it was “shocking” and “completely unacceptable,” adding, “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.”

All of this comes as Trump pushes harder on immigration and protests grow across the US. According to CNN, Trump already deployed the National Guard and told the LAPD to “bring in the troops,” after LA’s police chief said the department couldn’t cope with the crowds.

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