Photographer for American Outlet Allegedly Shot By Rubber Bullet at L.A. Protests
Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles have been well documented over the last several days.
The demonstrations have grown in size and some have escalated to the point of police involvement. President Donald Trump sent troops to the city in an effort to quell the demonstrations, and journalists have arrived from all over the world to cover the story.
An Australian journalist was shot by a rubber bullet on live television, and the same has allegedly happened to a photographer covering the events for a major American outlet.
The New York Post says photographer Toby Canham was near the 101 freeway when he was hit by a rubber bullet. The Post says a California Highway Patrol officer fired the bullet from around 100 yards away.
Canham posted what appears to be proof of his injuries on his Instagram story, showing a massive bruise on his forehead. Another image shows his point of view just before the moment of impact.
The rubber bullet that hit him and the firing officer can both be seen in the image.
The Post says Canham, a former member of the British Army, was treated for whiplash and neck pain the following day at a hospital.
“When I got whacked, to my best recollection, it was just me filming with my cameras on and then I got shot,” Canham said.
“Where I was hit, I was the only person overlooking the freeway. I wasn’t surrounded so I was an easy target."
The photographer added that he had holes in his pants from shrapnel, as a flashbang grenade went off just feet away.
Canham's incident occurred on the same day that Australia's Lauren Tomasi was shot on live television while delivering a report for 9News.
The Committee to Protect Journalists says that at least 20 journalists have been reportedly assaulted or obstructed during the protests.
“We are greatly concerned by the reports of law enforcement officers’ shooting non-lethal rounds at reporters covering protests in Los Angeles," said program coordinator Katherine Jacobsen.
"Any attempt to discourage or silence media coverage by intimidating or injuring journalists should not be tolerated. It is incumbent upon authorities to respect the media’s role of documenting issues of public interest.”