10.06.2025 11:20
During ongoing protest demonstrations in Los Angeles, USA, Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet by the police. Tomasi was covering the events live when she was attacked. The journalist stated on her social media account that her health is fine, but expressed that such interventions against the press pose a serious threat.
During the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, USA, Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was covering the events live, was shot by police with a rubber bullet. Those moments were captured on camera and created a significant stir on social media.
Tomasi, a reporter for Seven Network, was on the ground observing the protests and reporting live on the developments. However, she was targeted and injured by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers who were trying to disperse the crowd. The footage showed that despite wearing a media vest clearly identifying her as a member of the press, Tomasi was shot.
After the incident, Tomasi made a brief statement on her social media account, saying that her health was good but that such interventions against the press pose a serious threat. Tomasi stated, "As journalists, our safety needs to be ensured while we do our job in the field."
Press freedom advocates and international media organizations condemned the incident in strong terms, while the LAPD's harsh stance during the protests came under renewed criticism. Especially in recent times, the rising public backlash against certain immigration policies in the USA has turned into growing anger on the streets of Los Angeles.
It has been reported that not only Tomasi but many journalists have also been subjected to similar police interventions during the protests. Observers note that the course of events presents a worrying picture for press freedom.
While the Los Angeles Police Department has not yet made an official statement regarding the incident, the video showing the moment Tomasi was shot quickly went viral on social media, bringing police violence back into the public spotlight.