Karl Stefanovic calls for investigation after Channel Nine reporter Lauren Tomasi hit with rubber bullet covering LA protests

Sky News AU

a day ago

Television host Karl Stefanovic has called for a "proper investigation" after a fellow Channel Nine journalist was shot while covering the Los Angeles immigration protests.
The network's United States correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, was filming a cross during chaotic scenes in the downtown area between hundreds of police and demonstrators.
The reporter, who had her back towards a line of officers, had just finished her sentence when one of the police turned in her direction and fired a rubber bullet.
A projectile struck the calf of Tomasi who could be heard wincing in pain.
It is not known what had happened in front of the Channel Nine journalist that led to the officer firing the rubber bullet or whether she was the intended target.
Stefanovic on Tuesday told Today show viewers it may be one of three reasons.
"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," he said.
The Today host said whatever the reason, it had to be "properly investigated" given it was clear Tomasi was a reporter as she was holding a microphone in front of a camera.
"Lauren is a hard-working, tenacious reporter who is always determined to be fair and balanced. She's also the best of us. You will not meet a kinder person," he said.
"I get that it's dangerous to cops, too. What's happened to them in the line of duty and the position they are in is horrendous. But how is it okay for your police force to be firing at unarmed Australian journalists? If Albo (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) is looking for a place to start with Donald Trump - as an Australian, I might start there."
Appearing on a panel to talk about the day's headlines, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said her thoughts were with Tomasi.
"I'm not aware of what will and will not be in conversations," she said, after being asked by Stefanovic about whether Mr Albanese will raise it with President Trump, as the world's leaders prepare to meet in Canada for a two-day G7 summit this weekend.
"I understand she's okay and she wasn't seriously injured, but Australia absolutely believes in the freedom of journalists to do their job and to do their job safely, and that journalists should be protected. And so this is obviously a very difficult circumstance... but it's a principle of press freedom that we hold dear as Australians."
Tasmanian Greens Senator Nick McKim described the footage as "shocking" which "looked deliberately done", as he also urged for an investigation into the incident.
"This does need to be raised at the highest levels," he said.
"The fact that you've got someone in uniform who appears to take a deliberate pot shot at a journalist, that is completely unacceptable and it needs to be raised at the highest levels, whether that's the PM or the President or the Foreign Affairs Minister level.
"The United States needs to understand that that is just not okay."
Tomasi posted to X several hours after the incident on Monday (local time).
"Hey there. Thanks for all your messages - I'm a bit sore, but I'm okay," she wrote.
"Important we keep on telling the stories that need to be told."
The US military has also confirmed it will deploy 700 Marines to Los Angeles ahead of a fourth consecutive day of protests, which had turned violent.
Streets in LA descended into chaos on Friday (local time) after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers made dozens of arrests across the city over allegations of immigration violations as part of the administration's crackdown.
Protesters clashed with police and agents as they attempted to carry out arrests, leading to law enforcement to use flash bangs and pepper spray to quell the crowd.
About 300 Californian National Guards of the 2,000 deployed by President Trump have arrived to the city. Marines are due to arrive in the next 24 hours.
Protests on Monday (local time) have reduced in size and are peaceful.