Lauren Tomasi Death and Obituary – On Sunday, June 8, 2025, Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi, a journalist for Nine News, was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests in Los Angeles. Tomasi was stationed near the Metropolitan Detention Centre, which had become the focal point of a demonstration against immigration raids. The event, which was marked by escalating tensions between police and protesters, led to Tomasi’s injury, bringing attention to the risks journalists face while reporting on civil unrest.
The incident occurred as Tomasi was conducting a live broadcast, and it was during this live segment that she was hit by the rubber bullet. The projectile, fired by a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, struck Tomasi in the leg. The moment of impact was captured on video, and viewers could clearly hear her cry out in pain and clutch her leg, an alarming moment that quickly became viral.
As the chaos unfolded, a bystander was heard shouting, “You just f***ing shot the reporter!” in an apparent outburst of disbelief and frustration. Despite the injury, Tomasi demonstrated professionalism in her response. She quickly assured her viewers, saying, “Yeah, I’m good,” as she and her cameraman moved to safety.
Tomasi was covering the growing unrest between demonstrators and law enforcement when she was struck by the rubber bullet. The protests were centered around the controversial immigration raids taking place across the United States. As the protests intensified, Tomasi and her cameraman found themselves in the line of fire, with an LAPD officer apparently targeting the journalists directly.
The incident prompted immediate concerns regarding the safety of journalists working in volatile environments. In the footage captured, it was evident that the officer in question may have intentionally aimed at Tomasi and her crew, a concerning development that raised questions about police conduct during public demonstrations.
Following the incident, Nine News issued a statement confirming that Tomasi was “left sore but otherwise unharmed” by the rubber bullet. The network reassured viewers that the journalist had received medical attention but that her injuries were not severe enough to require hospitalization.
However, the injury sparked wider debates over the treatment of journalists during protests and civil unrest. Tomasi’s close call highlighted the precariousness of reporters’ safety while covering politically charged events, where they are often at the mercy of both law enforcement and protesters.
In response to the incident, Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young condemned the actions of the LAPD and called for an official explanation from the Australian government. She urged the Prime Minister to seek clarity from the United States administration regarding the targeting of journalists. “This is a clear violation of press freedom, and it’s deeply concerning to see a foreign correspondent being harmed while doing their job,” Hanson-Young stated.
As of the time of writing, the Prime Minister’s office has yet to provide a formal comment on the incident, and there has been no official statement from the United States government regarding the actions of the LAPD officer involved.
Lauren Tomasi’s injury serves as a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face while reporting on protests and demonstrations, especially when tensions between police and the public escalate. Although Tomasi was fortunate not to suffer major injuries, the event raises important questions about the safety of media personnel during volatile events and the responsibility of law enforcement to respect press freedom. In light of this incident, further scrutiny is likely to be placed on the conduct of police forces during protests and the need for stronger protections for journalists in the field.
