‘You just shot a reporter’: Video shows LAPD firing at journalist during LA protests | WATCH

Los Angeles: 9News US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi was injured after being struck by a rubber bullet while covering escalating protests in downtown Los Angeles.

The incident occurred during live coverage of the third consecutive day of violent unrest sparked by mass arrests of alleged undocumented immigrants.

Tomasi was reporting near the city’s Metropolitan Detention Centre when she was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet fired by a police officer. The shot came moments after she had finished a live broadcast to Australian viewers. Footage captured the moment she screamed in pain before the camera cut away. She was later confirmed to be sore but otherwise unharmed.

Earlier in the day, Tomasi had been caught in the middle of a crowd of demonstrators as tensions flared between protesters and law enforcement. Amid the noise of gunfire and flashbang grenades, a protester attempted to grab her camera during a live cross.

“They’ve told people to get out of this area, and protesters have been refusing,” Tomasi said on air. “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.”

The segment was cut short to allow Tomasi and her cameraman to evacuate the area safely.

The violent scenes in Los Angeles unfolded following the deployment of the National Guard and the implementation of aggressive immigration enforcement measures by the Trump administration. These developments have led to widespread demonstrations across the city, with authorities responding by using tear gas and non-lethal projectiles, including rubber bullets, to disperse crowds.

As of Monday, the protests have intensified, with reports of injuries and arrests mounting. Civil liberties groups have raised concerns over the use of force against both demonstrators and members of the press, urging investigations into incidents like the one involving Tomasi.

The LAPD has yet to issue a formal statement on the specific circumstances that led to the shooting of the 9News journalist.