Reporter Shot by Rubber Bullet on Live TV During Immigration Protests in L.A.

By Staff Writer | Headings News Desk

Los Angeles — Tensions soared in Los Angeles on Sunday as immigration protests escalated into violent clashes, resulting in dozens of arrests and the deployment of National Guard troops. Among those caught in the chaos was 9 News Australia’s U.S. correspondent Lauren Tomasi, who was struck by a rubber bullet while reporting live on air from the city’s downtown area.

Tomasi had been covering the rapidly deteriorating situation when the Los Angeles Police Department began moving in on horseback, using rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Just moments after she described the police response on camera, a rubber bullet struck her leg, prompting a brief scream. She quickly composed herself and told viewers, “I’m good,” before continuing coverage. The footage, shared widely on social media, captured the moment the journalist became part of the very story she was reporting.

The protests began on Friday, June 6, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of high-profile raids across Los Angeles, including one at a Home Depot store that drew significant media and public attention. Over the past week, at least 118 people have been detained in connection with the operations, according to BBC reports, with 44 arrests made on Friday alone. The actions prompted widespread demonstrations throughout the city, particularly in predominantly immigrant and Latino neighborhoods.

By the weekend, the unrest intensified. Protesters clashed with law enforcement officers near City Hall and along major roadways. NBC News reported that at least 56 people were arrested over the weekend. The California Highway Patrol confirmed an additional 17 arrests on the 101 Freeway. Among the more serious incidents, police reported one individual rammed a motorcycle into officers, injuring one, while another suspect allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement.

In response to the growing unrest, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles—without a request from state authorities. It marked the first such federal activation in California without gubernatorial approval since 1965. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move, calling it a “purposefully inflammatory” action designed to “manufacture a crisis” rather than ensure public safety. On Facebook, Newsom wrote, “Never use violence or harm law enforcement. But deploying federal troops without our consent is not leadership—it’s provocation.” He later warned that Trump was threatening to send 500 active-duty Marines to the streets of L.A., despite the situation already being managed by the LAPD.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also voiced disappointment over the federal action, telling KTLA that while some protesters had committed acts of vandalism, it was nothing the LAPD couldn’t handle. She emphasized that Trump’s decision to send in troops was “just not necessary.” Meanwhile, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell issued a statement clarifying that the department is not involved in immigration enforcement and would not assist in mass deportations. “We want all residents, regardless of immigration status, to feel safe contacting police in times of need,” McDonnell stated.

As the unrest in Los Angeles dominated headlines, similar protests spread to other cities, including San Francisco, where approximately 60 people—including minors—were arrested outside the Immigration Services building. Police there recovered at least one firearm from the scene, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Despite being injured, Lauren Tomasi resumed her reporting later in the day, calling the moment both terrifying and a reminder of the risks journalists face while covering civil unrest. The protests are expected to continue throughout the week, as tensions between local communities and federal authorities remain high.