‘I’m a bit sore, but I’m okay’: This Aussie reporter didn’t back down when the bullets flew
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Journalists often put themselves in harm’s way to bring us the truth—sometimes at great personal risk.
A recent incident involving an Australian reporter covering unrest overseas has sparked concern about media safety and press freedom.
What unfolded has led to calls for answers at the highest levels.
Press freedom came under fire—literally—during a volatile protest in the United States, when an Australian reporter found herself in the middle of an unfolding crisis.
9News US correspondent Lauren Tomasi had been covering demonstrations in Los Angeles when chaos erupted around her. Just moments after finishing a live cross, she was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet by a police officer positioned behind her.
The disturbing scene unfolded near the city’s Metropolitan Detention Centre, where Tomasi had been reporting from the front lines. Flashbangs echoed and gunfire rang out as the tension escalated. At one point, a protester even grabbed the camera she was speaking into.
‘They’ve told people to get out of this area, and protesters have been refusing,’ Tomasi reported from the scene.
‘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.’
But what began as another challenging day on the job took a turn after Tomasi wrapped her report. One of the nearby officers suddenly turned and fired a rubber bullet directly at her from close range. The camera quickly turned away as she screamed in pain.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, Tomasi later confirmed that she was recovering. In a post to social media, she wrote: ‘Hey there. Thanks for all your messages—I’m a bit sore, but I’m okay.’
She added: ‘Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told.’
Speaking on 9News that evening, Tomasi gave a clearer picture of the intensity on the ground. ‘I am okay. My cameraman, Jimmy and I are both safe,’ she said.
‘This is just one of the unfortunate realities of reporting on these kinds of incidents. It has been a really volatile day on the streets of Los Angeles.’
It remained unclear whether the shot came from an LAPD officer or another force supporting the protest response. The LAPD declined to comment, telling the media there was no statement available regarding individual protest-related incidents.
Source: Youtube/9 News Australia
9News, the publisher of the article, released a statement following the event: ‘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.’
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs also weighed in, with a spokesperson stating: ‘Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists. All journalists should be able to do their work safely.’
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young publicly criticised the incident, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand an explanation from US President Donald Trump.
‘US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,’ she 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.’
The incident took place on the third day of protests in Los Angeles, sparked by the mass arrest of hundreds of alleged undocumented immigrants.
Just an hour earlier, Tomasi had already faced danger as she became surrounded by protesters during another live cross. The situation was tense and unpredictable.
The story of Tomasi’s experience was not an isolated one. Other international journalists were also caught in the violence. It was reported that British news photographer Nick Stern had been struck with a three-inch plastic bullet while covering the same protests.
Source: Youtube/@thesun
‘This is a really serious, serious situation for the inhabitants there, but also for journalists working on the ground,’ BBC chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue said.
With the National Guard now deployed to restore order, the atmosphere in Los Angeles remained fraught. Tomasi’s ordeal stood as a chilling reminder of the risks faced by those reporting from the heart of unrest—risks that continue to test the limits of media freedom on the global stage.
With journalists risking their safety to keep the public informed, do you think enough is being done to protect them while they do their jobs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a separate incident that also raised questions about journalist safety, a news crew found themselves the target of a bold thief—right in the middle of a live broadcast.
For many older Aussies who’ve long understood the risks journalists face, these recent incidents serve as a stark reminder that the dangers have never truly gone away.
If you missed that moment, it’s definitely worth a look.
Read more: ‘The light itself has vanished’: News crew left shocked as thief strikes mid-broadcast
A recent incident involving an Australian reporter covering unrest overseas has sparked concern about media safety and press freedom.
What unfolded has led to calls for answers at the highest levels.
Press freedom came under fire—literally—during a volatile protest in the United States, when an Australian reporter found herself in the middle of an unfolding crisis.
9News US correspondent Lauren Tomasi had been covering demonstrations in Los Angeles when chaos erupted around her. Just moments after finishing a live cross, she was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet by a police officer positioned behind her.
The disturbing scene unfolded near the city’s Metropolitan Detention Centre, where Tomasi had been reporting from the front lines. Flashbangs echoed and gunfire rang out as the tension escalated. At one point, a protester even grabbed the camera she was speaking into.
Reporter hit by rubber bullet mid-coverage. Image source: 9News
‘They’ve told people to get out of this area, and protesters have been refusing,’ Tomasi reported from the scene.
‘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.’
But what began as another challenging day on the job took a turn after Tomasi wrapped her report. One of the nearby officers suddenly turned and fired a rubber bullet directly at her from close range. The camera quickly turned away as she screamed in pain.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, Tomasi later confirmed that she was recovering. In a post to social media, she wrote: ‘Hey there. Thanks for all your messages—I’m a bit sore, but I’m okay.’
She added: ‘Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told.’
Speaking on 9News that evening, Tomasi gave a clearer picture of the intensity on the ground. ‘I am okay. My cameraman, Jimmy and I are both safe,’ she said.
‘This is just one of the unfortunate realities of reporting on these kinds of incidents. It has been a really volatile day on the streets of Los Angeles.’
It remained unclear whether the shot came from an LAPD officer or another force supporting the protest response. The LAPD declined to comment, telling the media there was no statement available regarding individual protest-related incidents.
Source: Youtube/9 News Australia
9News, the publisher of the article, released a statement following the event: ‘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.’
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs also weighed in, with a spokesperson stating: ‘Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists. All journalists should be able to do their work safely.’
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young publicly criticised the incident, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to demand an explanation from US President Donald Trump.
‘US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,’ she 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.’
The incident took place on the third day of protests in Los Angeles, sparked by the mass arrest of hundreds of alleged undocumented immigrants.
Just an hour earlier, Tomasi had already faced danger as she became surrounded by protesters during another live cross. The situation was tense and unpredictable.
The story of Tomasi’s experience was not an isolated one. Other international journalists were also caught in the violence. It was reported that British news photographer Nick Stern had been struck with a three-inch plastic bullet while covering the same protests.
Source: Youtube/@thesun
‘This is a really serious, serious situation for the inhabitants there, but also for journalists working on the ground,’ BBC chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue said.
With the National Guard now deployed to restore order, the atmosphere in Los Angeles remained fraught. Tomasi’s ordeal stood as a chilling reminder of the risks faced by those reporting from the heart of unrest—risks that continue to test the limits of media freedom on the global stage.
With journalists risking their safety to keep the public informed, do you think enough is being done to protect them while they do their jobs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a separate incident that also raised questions about journalist safety, a news crew found themselves the target of a bold thief—right in the middle of a live broadcast.
For many older Aussies who’ve long understood the risks journalists face, these recent incidents serve as a stark reminder that the dangers have never truly gone away.
If you missed that moment, it’s definitely worth a look.
Read more: ‘The light itself has vanished’: News crew left shocked as thief strikes mid-broadcast
