NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — An Australian television journalist was caught in a non-fatal shooting on Sunday. This incident was linked to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and subsequent actions by the California National Guard in the area.
Footage from 9News shows correspondent Lauren Tomasi reporting live with a microphone when an officer behind her abruptly raised a gun and fired a non-fatal shot at close range. Tomasi, appearing without any personal protective gear, shrieks in pain and clutches her lower body as she and her photographer hastily retreat from the police line.
“You just shot the (expletive) reporter!” is heard yelling from behind the camera.
Assuring her crew, Tomasi stated, “Yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine.”
The shooting followed a tense afternoon where Tomasi and her crew were positioned between riot police and protesters. At one point, she struggled to speak amidst the noise of the chaos, while protesters seized control of the camera momentarily.
“They told people to evacuate the area, but the protesters are refusing,” she reported. “We're safe here. It’s loud, but you can sense the tension.”
Speaking with 9News later on Monday, Tomasi confirmed that she was safe and unharmed.
“I'm fine, my photographer Jimmy and I are both safe. This is just one of the unfortunate realities of covering such events,” she remarked.
9News is part of Nine, one of Australia’s largest media conglomerates, that operates across television, radio, print, and digital mediums. Its key platforms include free-to-air channel 9 as well as prominent newspapers like the Sydney Morning Herald and Age.
The demonstration, which started with hundreds of participants on Friday, escalated to thousands who blocked major highways and set several self-driving cars ablaze by Sunday.
President Trump deployed National Guard troops to the city, marking the first time since 1967 that such action occurred without the consent of state Governor Gavin Newsom.
Source: apnews.com