LAPD’s Controversial Defense for Shooting Reporter in LA ICE Protests: A Press Freedom Crisis

On June 8, 2025, a 9News Australia correspondent was struck by a rubber bullet during a live broadcast from downtown Los Angeles, covering escalating protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The incident, captured on video, showed the reporter, reporting near the ICE field office at 257 E Temple Street, cry out in pain as an LAPD officer fired a nonlethal round at close range. The footage, viewed millions of times on X, sparked global outrage, with bystanders shouting, “You shot the reporter!” The LAPD’s subsequent response, claiming the reporter was “inadvertently caught in the line of fire” due to her proximity to “violent protesters,” has been widely condemned as “unacceptable,” fueling accusations of excessive force and disregard for press safety. This article explores the incident, the LAPD’s controversial justification, the resulting backlash, and what it reveals about policing, press freedom, and public unrest in 2025.

The Incident: A Reporter Caught in the Crossfire

The protests erupted on June 6, 2025, following a wave of ICE raids across Los Angeles, part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which saw at least 118 arrests, including 44 on Friday alone. By Sunday, tensions peaked as 2,000 National Guard troops, deployed by Trump without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval, joined LAPD and California Highway Patrol officers to manage demonstrations. Protesters, decrying the raids as inhumane, clashed with authorities, with some engaging in vandalism, throwing objects, and setting cars ablaze. The LAPD declared an “unlawful assembly” near the Metropolitan Detention Center, warning media to maintain a safe distance.

The 9News correspondent, reporting live, described the situation as “rapidly deteriorating,” noting LAPD officers on horseback firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Moments later, an officer raised a firearm and fired directly in her direction, striking her leg. The reporter, visibly in pain but insisting, “I’m good,” retreated with her cameraman. 9News later confirmed she was “sore but unharmed” and would continue covering the protests, emphasizing the “inherent dangers” journalists face. The video, shared widely on X by accounts like @9NewsAUS and @oneillquigley, showed the officer’s action appearing deliberate, prompting a bystander’s accusation of targeting the press.

The LAPD’s Response: A Controversial Defense

On June 9, 2025, the LAPD issued a statement addressing the incident, claiming the reporter was “inadvertently struck” while standing too close to a group of protesters who had “escalated to violence,” including throwing bottles and concrete. The department argued that officers were responding to “imminent threats” and that rubber bullets, intended as a nonlethal crowd-control measure, were deployed to protect public safety. The statement emphasized that the reporter was not “deliberately targeted” and urged media to heed warnings to stay clear of active operations. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell added that the department was investigating but maintained that officers acted within protocol given the “chaotic” environment, citing 56 arrests over the weekend, including for assault and Molotov cocktail use.

This response sparked immediate controversy. Critics on X, like @CMC42 and @getmemurray, called the explanation “unacceptable,” arguing that the footage showed the officer aiming directly at the reporter, who was clearly identifiable as press with a microphone and camera crew. The claim that she was “in the way” was seen as deflecting responsibility, especially since she was reporting from a designated media area near Temple Street, not amidst protesters. Australian officials, including Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, labeled the incident “shocking” and demanded explanations from U.S. authorities, with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade asserting that “journalists should be able to do their work safely.” California Governor Gavin Newsom, already critical of Trump’s National Guard deployment, called the LAPD’s response “evasive,” suggesting it reflected broader failures in de-escalation.

Public and Political Backlash: A Firestorm of Outrage

The LAPD’s defense has fueled a broader backlash, with X posts and media amplifying accusations of excessive force and press intimidation. Users like @Joek72 and @NeuroMatrixGame shared the video, questioning why a clearly marked reporter was targeted, with some alleging the LAPD was “out of control” under pressure from federal authorities. The incident’s visibility—viewed over 98,000 times on X in one post alone—has drawn comparisons to 2020 George Floyd protests, where journalists were injured by nonlethal rounds, prompting calls to ban rubber bullets. Reporters Without Borders condemned the incident, citing it as part of a pattern of U.S. law enforcement aggression toward media during unrest.

Politically, the controversy has escalated tensions between local and federal authorities. Newsom, who accused Trump of “manufacturing a crisis” by deploying the National Guard, filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the federalization of state troops without his consent violated California’s sovereignty. His office highlighted that the LAPD was managing protests before federal intervention, and the reporter’s injury underscored the chaos of an over-militarized response. Trump’s team, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt, defended the deployment, claiming it was “essential to halt illegal criminal activity,” but avoided addressing the reporter’s injury directly.

Internationally, the incident has strained U.S. relations. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, preparing for a potential G7 meeting with Trump, faces pressure to raise the issue, with Hanson-Young urging him to demand that the U.S. “stop shooting our journalists.” The Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles is providing consular support to the reporter, signaling diplomatic concern. British photojournalist Nick Stern, injured by a sponge bullet in a separate protest in Paramount, added to the narrative of press vulnerability, telling the BBC that his clear press markings did not protect him, suggesting a systemic issue.

Legal and Ethical Implications: Press Freedom at Risk

The incident raises serious legal and ethical questions about police conduct and press safety. Rubber bullets, marketed as nonlethal, can cause severe injuries, including fractures and organ damage, as seen in 2020 protests where journalists lost eyesight. The reporter’s lack of personal protective equipment, noted in reports, highlights the unpredictability of such munitions in volatile settings. Under California law, law enforcement must exercise restraint in crowd control, and targeting journalists could violate First Amendment protections. Legal experts suggest the reporter could pursue a civil suit against the LAPD, citing excessive force, especially given the video evidence of a direct shot at close range.

The LAPD’s claim that the reporter was “in the line of fire” conflicts with footage showing her standing apart from protesters, raising questions about officer training and accountability. The department’s refusal to identify the officer’s agency—LAPD, National Guard, or Department of Homeland Security—further muddies responsibility, as multiple forces were present. The Society of Professional Journalists has called for an independent investigation, arguing that the LAPD’s self-review lacks credibility given its defensive stance.

Ethically, the incident underscores the precarious role of journalists in protest zones. The reporter’s decision to continue covering the protests, despite injury, reflects the press’s commitment to public information, yet the LAPD’s response suggests a lack of regard for this role. X posts like @BrotherJim3’s, which dismissed the injury with “Suck it up, Buttercup,” reveal a troubling sentiment that journalists assume risk by covering unrest, ignoring their protected status under international norms.

Cultural and Political Context: A Divided City

The LA protests, sparked by ICE raids targeting undocumented immigrants, reflect broader tensions in 2025. Trump’s second-term immigration policies, including mass deportation pledges, have galvanized resistance in liberal strongholds like Los Angeles, where 118 arrests and violent clashes—cars torched, officers injured—have heightened stakes. The National Guard’s deployment, the first without a governor’s request since 1965, has been criticized as inflammatory, with Newsom arguing it escalated rather than quelled unrest. The reporter’s injury, alongside Stern’s and a protester shot in the head with a rubber bullet, has become a symbol of this overreach, fueling accusations that federal and local authorities prioritize control over dialogue.

The controversy also reflects gaming culture’s echo in broader debates, as seen in your prior Borderlands 4 request. Just as Gearbox faced backlash for alleged censorship, the LAPD’s response is perceived as silencing criticism by deflecting blame. Both cases highlight a distrust of institutions—whether developers or police—when transparency is lacking. The “unacceptable” label for the LAPD’s defense stems from this distrust, as fans and citizens alike demand accountability over justifications that feel dismissive.

Critical Perspective: Accountability Over Excuses

The LAPD’s claim that the reporter was “inadvertently” shot strains credulity given the video evidence, which shows a deliberate aim. Rubber bullets, while nonlethal, are not toys; their use requires precision, especially near journalists. The “in the way” excuse sidesteps accountability, echoing a pattern where law enforcement prioritizes crowd control over press safety. The establishment narrative—portraying police as overwhelmed by violent protesters—downplays the reporter’s protected status and the LAPD’s failure to de-escalate. Conversely, X-driven outrage risks exaggerating the incident as intentional targeting without evidence of motive, fueling polarization.

The solution lies in transparency: an independent probe, officer identification, and clearer protocols for nonlethal munitions. The LAPD’s defensive posture, like Gearbox’s silence in the Borderlands rumor, amplifies distrust. Newsom’s lawsuit and international pressure offer hope for accountability, but without systemic reform, such incidents will persist. The reporter’s injury isn’t just a protest casualty—it’s a warning about eroding press freedoms in a divided nation.

Conclusion

The shooting of a 9News Australia correspondent with a rubber bullet during LA’s ICE protests has exposed deep flaws in policing and press relations. The LAPD’s claim that she was “in the way” of a necessary response to “violent” protesters has been slammed as unacceptable, igniting a firestorm over excessive force and accountability. As legal, political, and public pressure mounts, the incident underscores the fragility of press freedom in volatile times. Los Angeles, a city torn by immigration debates, is now a battleground for trust in institutions. The reporter’s resilience in continuing her work is a testament to journalism’s vital role—will the LAPD’s response be its undoing? Stay tuned as this story unfolds.