Fury after Australian reporter hit by nonlethal munition during LA protests

Karl Stefanovic has lashed the shooting of his colleague, who was shot by police during a live cross from violent protests in the US.

Karl Stefanovic has demanded an investigation after a US riot police officer shot his colleague with a nonlethal round during violent demonstrations in Los Angeles.

Nine’s Lauren Tomasi was at the time reporting in the city’s downtown area, where law enforcement and the US National Guard were facing off with thousands protesting Donald Trump’s mass deportations.

Tomasi, microphone in hand, was giving an update to camera when an officer standing behind her raised his firearm and fired, hitting her in the leg.

Taking to social media, she said she was “a bit sore, but I’m okay”.

Tomasi vowed to “keep on telling the stories that need to be told”, echoing comments from Nine, which confirmed both she and “her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events”.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the front lines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information,” the company said.

But Stefanovic on Tuesday took a harsher tone, declaring there were questions that needed to be answered.

Nine’s Lauren Tomasi was struck by a nonlethal munition while covering violent demonstrations in the US. Picture: NewsWire / Screengrab

“We don’t know what threat was so imminent it required a cop to discharge his weapon on a reporter or whether he meant to shoot her, but it sure looks like that to me,” he said in a Today Show monologue.

“The incident was maybe one of three things: a moment where an LA officer so thought his life was in danger, he needed to discharge his weapon, an incompetent warning shot, or the act of a coward.

“Either way, it needs to be properly investigated.”

Stefanovic called on Anthony Albanese to raise the matter with Donald Trump when the two leaders have their first face-to-face on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada later this week.

“I get that it’s dangerous to cops, to what’s happened to them in the line of duty, and the position they are in is horrendous,” he said.

“But how is it OK for your police force to be firing at unarmed Australian journalists?

“If Albo is looking for a place to start with Donald Trump, this is it.”

Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi was struck by a nonlethal munition while covering demonstrations in the US. Picture: NewsWire / Screengrab

Greens communication spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young has also called on the Prime Minister to mention it as the first order of business.

“US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,” Senator Hanson-Young said in a statement.

“It is completely unacceptable and must be called out.

“The Prime Minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration.

“As Albanese is preparing for his first meeting with President Trump, the first thing he must tell the President is to stop shooting at our journalists.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was in touch “with an Australian injured in protests, and stands ready to provide consular assistance if required”.

“Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists,” a DFAT spokesperson said.

“All journalists should be able to do their work safely.”

DFAT has advised Australians to avoid areas where there are protests in the US.

‘Pretty nasty’

Speaking after the incident, Tomasi described the situation in Los Angeles as “pretty nasty” and “volatile”.

She said police were moving through the city’s downtown area trying to clear out protesters, but there were “just thousands of people, and as we were reporting on the situation, one of those officers fired at me”.

US law enforcement and the National Guard have been facing off with thousands protesting US President Donald Trump’s mass deportations. Blake Fagan / AFP

“We are both safe,” she told Melbourne talkback station 3AW, referring to her cameraman.

Though she said she was “going to have a bit of a nasty bruise”.

“It really did hurt,” Tomasi said.

“I’d say it’s kind of the size of a golf ball – a hard-ish rubber.

“I’ve got a bit of a circle on my calf muscle. I’m lucky it was there.”

She said it “comes part and parcel with the job sometimes”, but “it does kind of give you an idea of the sense of just how much this is deteriorating and how the situation here is out of control”.

Asked why she thought the officer shot at her, Tomasi said she did not know and put it down to the chaotic circumstances.

“I think they’re just firing at anyone who is remotely in the way,” she said.

“We certainly were not trying to get in the way … we were standing off to the side.”

US Marines deployed

Tomasi’s vow to continue covering the demonstrations came as US defence officials confirmed about 700 Marines were being deployed to defend federal personnel and property in Los Angeles.

The move will likely fuel tensions already dire due to Mr Trump’s decision to deploy 2000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles – the first time since 1967 that a president has done so without a request from a state governor.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who Mr Trump often refers to as “Gavin Newscum”, has blasted the federal intervention as “not to meet an unmet need but to manufacture a crisis”.

Mr Newsom said on Monday (local time) that he was “filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration to end the illegal takeover (of the California Military Department), which has escalated chaos and violence in LA”.

Protesters have torched police vehicles and graffitied buildings in downtown Los Angeles. Picture: Ringo Chiu / AFP

“Donald Trump’s violation of the US Constitution is an overstep of his authority,” he posted on social media.

“We will not let this stand.”

What started as a few hundred protesters in downtown Los Angeles on Friday escalated dramatically over the weekend, with burning police vehicles scattered along streets and clashes between demonstrators and riot officers.

The Trump administration has tasked federal immigration agents with arresting at least 3000 migrants per day as part of the US President’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

Daily raids across the country have sparked shock and scathing criticisms as well as warnings they could jeopardise key sectors where undocumented workers do the heavy lifting.

Southern California is among the regions most impacted by the raids.

More to come

Originally published as Fury after Australian reporter hit by nonlethal munition during LA protests