LA police shoot woman with 'less lethal bullet' amid unrest over immigration raids

US law enforcement officers have shot a woman with what appears to be “less lethal” ammunition at close range while she was walking alone near her residence in Los Angeles amid ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests.

The footage, recorded by a bystander and circulated online, depicts the woman walking solo down the street. A row of officers can be seen instructing her to vacate the vicinity.

Suddenly, a loud explosion rings out as an officer seemingly discharges his weapon toward her. Struck by the projectile, she recoils before stumbling off unsteadily.

In the aftermath, her voice emerges from the clip declaring, "I live here."

The witness who recorded the incident rushes to the injured woman, now in tears, and assists her to the ground before retreating across the street while officers persist with shouted commands. "They literally just shot her point-blank," the videographer said.

Since Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles police department has not replied to inquiries about the incident.

Law enforcement agencies in the US occasionally use so-called "less lethal" weapons—including rubber bullets, sponge rounds, and pepper balls—for crowd control during demonstrations. Though labeled as "non-lethal" or "less-than-lethal," these projectiles have previously resulted in severe injuries and fatal outcomes.

Amid ongoing Los Angeles demonstrations, police have deployed flashbangs, tear gas, and rubber bullets—with multiple media sources confirming the use of pepper balls as well.

On Sunday, Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi from Nine News was shot in the leg by a rubber bullet while reporting live from the protests.

Nine News said, in a statement, that Tomasi was “struck by a rubber bullet” adding, “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information.”

US forces fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in Los Angeles

US security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday.

The unrest, now in its sixth day, erupted after immigration officials arrested dozens of individuals described as illegal migrants and gang members. The raids, conducted in broad daylight in a city with a significant Latino population, sparked outrage in liberal-leaning Los Angeles.

Despite opposition from local and state officials, US President Donald Trump has deployed over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles.

Critics have accused Trump of escalating tensions by deploying California’s National Guard, typically under the control of Governor Gavin Newsom. 

Trump defended the deployment, hinting at expanding it nationwide. “You have violent people, and we won’t let them get away with it,” he told reporters. “You’re going to see strong law and order.”

When asked about invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows military use as domestic police, Trump said, “We’re looking at troops everywhere. We won’t let this happen to our country.”

Demonstrations have spread  to other cities nationwide, including Dallas and Austin, Texas, Chicago and New York, where a thousand people rallied and multiple arrests were made.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk