Heavily Armed Cops Hit TV News Reporter With Rubber Bullet During LA Riots As Trump Deploys National Guard

Police officers shot an Australian reporter with a rubber bullet as she covered the ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

U.S. correspondent for 9News, Lauren Tomasi, was reporting in the city on the third day of protests, Sunday evening, when police turned towards her and fired.

“After hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated,” Tomasi told the camera as shots could be heard in the background.

“The LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protestors, moving them on through the heart of LA,” she continued.

As Tomasi stopped talking, an officer in the background turned towards her and fired a shot at her feet.

She shouts in pain, grabs her ankle, and hobbles away from the officer.

Several protestors ask if she is okay, while one shouts at police, “You just f***ing shot a reporter.”

“I’m good, I’m good,” Tomasi tells those asking.

Her employer, Nine, released a statement to say she is safe and will continue to report.

“Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events,” Nine said.

“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.”

British photographer Nick Stern was also shot by police and had to undergo emergency surgery.

Stern, 60, was taking pictures of the protests when a 14mm “sponge bullet” hit his thigh.

The incidents come after U.S. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to LA in response to violent protests opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

It is the first time the National Guard has been activated without a state governor's request since 1965.

The protests erupted over the weekend following reports of ICE operations targeting undocumented immigrants across the city, reportedly including a clothing warehouse, a doughnut shop, and two Home Depot stores.

Outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, demonstrators demanded that those being detained be released, and some tried to physically block ICE vehicles.

What began as largely peaceful marches quickly escalated in several locations, with clashes reported between protestors and law enforcement.

On Sunday, at least 2,000 protestors took over the 101 Freeway in downtown LA.

Traffic was brought to a standstill as both lanes of the major highway were blocked and riot police used gas canisters on protestors to try and force them off the road.

Multiple police cars were damaged and self-driving cars were also set ablaze, causing street closures due to the toxic fumes.

The LAPD also used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds in the city, after some demonstrators set fire to police vehicles and broke store windows.

An unlawful assembly declaration was issued for the area of the Civic Center part of LA.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said a total of 27 people had been arrested on Sunday across the city.

“The LAPD supports and protects the First Amendment right to free speech. In recent days many protests across the city have been peaceful and we thank the community for expressing their views and their frustration in a responsible manner,” he said.

“However, when peaceful demonstrations devolve into acts of vandalism or violence, especially violence directed at innocent people, law enforcement officers, and others, we must respond firmly.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE arrested 118 illegal immigrants in LA last week, sparking the ongoing protests.

They say this number included five gang members and those with prior criminal histories of drug trafficking, assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and people smuggling.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the decision to send 2,000 troops to the state and says Trump has created chaos and instigated violence.

“I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command,” he said.

“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the deployment as “common sense,” and he also threatened to deploy active-duty Marines.

“The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK,” he said.

“Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE.

“The @DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”

Trump has criticized Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, who also accused Trump of provoking the mass protests.

He has also ordered the arrest of anyone wearing face masks during protests as he urged LA to "bring in the troops."

“Governor Gavin Newscum and ‘Mayor’ Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they have done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots,” he said.

“These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists. Remember, NO MASKS!”

"Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS," Trump later added. "ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!"