Reporter hit by nonlethal round during live report from Los Angeles protests
(AP) - An Australian television journalist was hit in the leg by a nonlethal round Sunday while reporting live from downtown Los Angeles.
Video of the incident released by 9News shows correspondent Lauren Tomasi reporting live when an officer behind her suddenly raises their firearm and fires a nonlethal round at close range. Tomasi, who doesn’t appear to be wearing personal protective equipment, cries out in pain and clutches her lower leg as she and her cameraman quickly move away from the police line.
“You just (expletive) shot the reporter,” a voice off-camera can be heard shouting.
The shooting came after a tense afternoon in which Tomasi and her crew were caught between riot police and protesters. At one point, she struggled to speak over the sound of clashes, while a protester grabbed the camera mid-broadcast.
“They’ve told people to get out of this area, and protesters have been refusing,” she reported. “We are safe here. It’s just noisy. But you can see the volatility.”
Speaking later Monday to 9News, Tomasi confirmed she was safe and unharmed.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
