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The Australian television journalist was hit by his legs in a non-fatal round on Sunday, reporting live from downtown Los Angeles about President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and subsequent massive protests over the California State Guard’s deployment into the city.
Video of the incident, released by 9News, shows correspondent Lauren Tomasi with the microphone in hand, reporting live as the officer behind her suddenly lifted a firearm and fired a non-fatal round at close range. Tomasi, who appears to be wearing no personal protective equipment, screams in pain and grabs her lower limbs as she and her photographer quickly leave the police line.
“You just shot the (expletive) reporter,” you can hear the camera scream.
Tomasi assured her crew that she was fine: “Yeah, I’m fine, I’m fine.”
The shooting came after a tense afternoon when Tomasi and her crew were captured between riot police and protesters. At one point, she struggled to talk about the sound of the collision, and protesters grabbed the camera halfway through.
An Australian television journalist was hit by a rubber bullet on Sunday as he reported live from downtown Los Angeles about President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and subsequent massive protests over California State Guard forces’ deployment. (Screenshot courtesy AP)
“They told people to get out of the area, but the protesters refuse,” she reported. “We’re safe here. It’s loud. But you can see the volatility.”
Speaking to 9News later on Monday, Tomasi confirmed that she was safe and unharmed.
“I’m fine, my photographer Jimmy and I are both safe. This is just one of the unfortunate reality to report on this type of incident,” she said.
9News is part of Nine, one of Australia’s largest media companies, operating across television, radio, printing and digital channels. Its major platforms include free channels 9 such as the Sydney Morning Herald and Age and major newspapers.
The demonstration, which began with hundreds of people on Friday, swelled to thousands of people who blocked major highways and burned several self-driving cars by Sunday.
President Trump sent National Guard troops to the city in his first deployment without state consent, without the state’s consent.
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