Photojournalist hit with pepper ball at ‘No Kings’ protest in LA

Freelance photojournalist Ethan Noah Roy was struck in the shoulder by a crowd-control munition and disoriented by multiple stun grenades while covering a protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025.

The demonstration was one of hundreds of “No Kings” demonstrations held nationwide to counter a military parade attended by President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also followed days of protests in LA and nearby towns against recent federal raids, part of the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown.

Roy told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that the protest was one of the most aggressive days of law enforcement response he had witnessed while covering the summer’s demonstrations. He said he was exposed to tear gas several times, having to flush his eyes, in a crowd that included both sheriff’s deputies and police officers.

At one point, he moved to the front line of a barricade protesters had assembled and was photographing when he was hit in the shoulder by a projectile, which he identified as a pepper ball. It’s unclear which law enforcement agency fired the shot.

“It hurt, but luckily it wasn’t bruised,” he said of his shoulder.

While covering the protests over the summer, Roy has been shot at with pepper balls and targeted with other munitions, as well as shoved by police officers.

“It’s made me more aware of my personal safety,” he said. “It hasn’t stopped me from doing my job; if anything, it motivates me to work harder.”

In a statement emailed to the Tracker on June 10, the Sheriff’s Department said it prioritizes maintaining access for credentialed media, “especially during emergencies and critical incidents.”

“The LASD does not condone any actions that intentionally target members of the press, and we continuously train our personnel to distinguish and respect the rights of clearly identified journalists in the field,” a public information officer wrote. “We remain open to working with all media organizations to improve communication, transparency, and safety for all parties during public safety operations.”

In a video interview the LAPD posted to Instagram on July 7, Police Chief Jim McDonnell told KTLA-TV that the department issues dispersal orders during these protests to regain control over the area and restore order.

“The reporters who are in the area have the right by law to stay in that area, but by staying in that area, they’re also subject to what’s going to go on in that area,” he said. “And much like some of the reporters suffered injuries, they were not targeted, nor were police officers who also suffered injuries.”