Australian Reporter Hit in the Leg... US Journalist Struck in the Forehead by Rubber Bullet While Covering LA Protest

New York Post Journalist Struck in Forehead by Police Rubber Bullet
"It Could Have Hit My Eye or Teeth... I'm Furious"

During a protest against illegal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles (LA), USA, a journalist covering the scene was struck in the forehead by a rubber bullet fired by the police.

Photo by Toby Canham, a photojournalist for the New York Post, was injured after being hit in the forehead by a rubber bullet while covering a protest in Los Angeles, USA. New York Post

On June 9 (local time), the New York Post reported, "The previous day, our photojournalist Toby Canham was injured after being hit in the forehead by a rubber bullet fired by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer while photographing the protest scene in LA."

According to the report, Canham was assigned by his company to film the clashes between police and protesters from a high vantage point near Highway 101. In the footage shot by Canham, a police officer fired a gun aimed at him from approximately 91 meters away, and Canham immediately collapsed after being struck in the forehead by a rubber bullet. The video also captured Canham screaming in pain, shouting, "I was hit in the head." At the time, Canham was wearing a press pass.

A police officer firing a gun aimed at Toby Canham. Photo captured from New York Post.

Afterward, Canham received hospital treatment for shock from the shooting and neck pain. He currently has a large bruise on his forehead. Regarding the incident, Canham said, "There was no one else around me. I was filming with my camera on when I was hit," and added, "I was standing in a spot overlooking the highway, and since there was no one else nearby, I was an easy target."

He also reported that before being hit by the rubber bullet, a flashbang exploded nearby, sending shrapnel that created two holes in his pants. Subsequently, someone to his left threw a water bottle filled with liquid toward the police and fled. Twenty seconds after turning on his camera to film that scene, Canham was struck by the rubber bullet.

Canham stated, "I understand that I was in a position where I could get hurt, but there is no justification for aiming a gun at me and pulling the trigger for any reason," expressing his anger. "Honestly, I'm furious. It could have been my eye or my teeth that were injured."

An Australian journalist was also injured by a rubber bullet while reporting at the scene. The Australian outlet 9News reported that on June 8 (local time), the third day of the protests, its US correspondent Lauren Tomasi was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet fired by LA police while covering the protest in LA.

Recently, protests in LA have been spreading in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdowns and deportations of undocumented immigrants. In response, the Donald Trump administration has taken a hardline stance, deploying the National Guard and Marine Corps.