Photographer injured as federal agents use tear gas at LA-area protest

Photojournalist Jonathan Alcorn was struck with a tear gas canister after federal agents fired the crowd-control munition during an anti-deportation protest in Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025.

Alcorn, on assignment for Zuma Press, was covering one of the Los Angeles-area protests that began June 6 in response to federal raids in and around the city at workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered. After demonstrators clashed with LA law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.

According to a complaint filed in a federal court by the LA Press Club, the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America and others, Alcorn was wearing a press pass and carrying his camera gear while covering the suspected Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid of a Home Depot in Paramount on June 7.

Alcorn, who has been a photojournalist for nearly 40 years, immediately heard and saw Customs and Border Protection agents firing a large number of crowd-control munitions, including tear gas canisters, at protesters, the court document stated.

Soon after, he was barraged by the munitions and took cover behind an SUV.

“When he peeked above the SUV, Mr. Alcorn was targeted by CBP officers, who fired tear gas canisters that rolled under the vehicle,” according to the complaint. “Officers were targeting him because he was the only person behind the vehicle.”

While fleeing the area due to the intensity of the gas, a federal agent shot Alcorn near his elbow. He was later diagnosed with a hematoma and burn on his arm, added the complaint.

“Despite his injury, Alcorn continued taking pictures because he believed it was important to cover the unfolding events,” the document stated, before alleging he was targeted by an agent because he was a clearly identifiable photojournalist.

“Even though he posed no threat to officers, they nonetheless shot multiple tear gas canisters at him,” the complaint said. “Although he is afraid of again being targeted and injured by federal officials, Mr. Alcorn will continue to cover what is happening in Los Angeles.”

In an emailed statement to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, wrote: “We remind members of the media and journalists to exercise caution as they cover these violent riots. We have seen rioters throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, setting fires, and other violent acts. President Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem are committed to restoring law and order in Los Angeles."

When contacted by the Tracker, Alcorn declined to comment about his experience. But in a comment posted to the social platform Facebook, he confirmed he was struck in the arm while fleeing federal agents firing off crowd-control munitions.

“I’m a little sore but fine otherwise. Numerous other journalists have been struck as well,” he wrote. “Be safe my fellow journalists and everybody else out on the streets. Times have changed out in the field for journalists in the states.”