Journalist hit in leg with projectile at LA protest

Independent journalist Anthony Cabassa was struck in the back of the thigh by an impact projectile fired by a police officer while covering an immigration rights protest in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 30, 2026.

The demonstration was part of nationwide protests that began that day and also followed similar protests in Minnesota, where federal officers have shot and killed two U.S. citizens. In LA, sweeping immigration enforcement has continued since June.

Cabassa told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was hit with the crowd-control munition while filming LA Police Department officers pushing protesters away from the federal building where immigrants were being detained. He said the shot may have been a ricochet rather than a direct strike.

Shortly after, however, he said he was deliberately struck with projectiles on his torso, striking his press badge and leaving a bleeding, open wound on his stomach.

Cabassa said the thigh injury severely limited his mobility and forced him to leave the protest early, even as demonstrations continued for several more hours. He returned the next day but left again due to the pain.

LAPD’s actions on Jan. 30 appeared to violate a California law prohibiting officers from firing munitions at members of the press. They also seemed to flout a preliminary injunction issued last year.

LAPD did not immediately return a request for comment. In a social media post on X the evening of the protest, the department said it used crowd munitions in response to violence against officers, but did not address their use of force against members of the press.