Journalist speaks out after being shot by LAPD in horrifying footage while reporting live on anti-ICE protests
Topics: Los Angeles, News, US News, Donald Trump
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: 9News
Topics: Los Angeles, News, US News, Donald Trump
A journalist who was shot by the Los Angeles Police Department during the city's riots has addressed the ordeal.
Yesterday (June 8), US correspondent for Australia's 9News Lauren Tomasi was live reporting the protests when she was caught in the crossfire.
Protests erupted in Los Angeles on Friday after ICE arrested dozens of people over alleged immigration violations.
Rioters then took to the city's streets in demonstration, and things quickly turned violent. Molotov cocktails are said to have been thrown in law enforcement's direction while vehicles in the area were also set alight.
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In an attempt to try disperse the crowds, police shot rubber bullets at protestors and it's then that Tomasi was struck.
The moment was caught live on camera as an officer in the background appeared to take aim at the reporter and shot her with a rubber bullet in the ankle. See the shocking moment here:
The Aussie reporter screamed and swore after being struck, and proceeded to walk off camera.
Tomasi has since spoken out after the incident after resuming her reporting duties.
Speaking to a fellow reporter in the studio who asked how she was doing, Tomasi said: "I am okay. My cameraman, Jimmy, and I are both safe. This is just one of the unfortunate realities of reporting on these kind of incidents."
"It has been a really volatile day on the streets of Los Angeles," she went on. "And I do want to show you the scene here tonight."
The camera proceeded to show downtown LA that had been cordoned off.
"The city warned that if anyone moves through here, they will be arrested on the spot," said Tomasi.
People were outraged at the footage of Tomasi being shot, with some suggesting the officer purposely aimed at her.
"He aims right at her," one person on Twitter argued. "No one in between them. No chance of it being a missed shot. A purposeful close range shot, at an unarmed journalist, who was walking away."
LADbible group have previously contacted the LAPD for comment.
In the wake of the riots breaking out last week, Donald Trump ordered 300 members of the national guard to go to LA.
The president hinted that all 2,000 guards will be sent the city if necessary, said ABC.net.
"We're going to have troops everywhere," Trump warned.
He also penned on Truth Social: "Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!"