Video journalist hit by crowd-control munition while covering LA protest

Gabriel Ovalle, an editor and camera operator for digital media outlet Channel 5, was struck with a crowd-control munition fired by a Los Angeles Police Department officer while covering an immigration protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 10, 2025.

The protests began June 6 in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. 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.

Ovalle told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was walking backward ahead of a group of peaceful protesters in downtown LA at around 9:45 p.m. when he was hit in the side with an impact projectile.

“It was clear that I was filming them walking. There weren’t a lot of projectiles flying around yet and I was isolated, so I do believe I was targeted. It’s just unclear if they could tell I was covering the event or not.”

Ovalle said he sustained a bruise that lasted a few weeks. He added that he had “temporary discomfort” from tear gas that was also fired.

Channel 5 posted on the social platform X on June 10 a photo of Ovalle’s injury and video of the moment he was hit.

It added, “Whether or not the LAPD is explicitly targeting the press, the press is getting caught in the crossfire.”

A federal lawsuit filed by the LA Press Club and outlet Status Coup against the city and the LAPD chief on June 16 alleged that the department was using excessive force against journalists covering the protests and violating their rights to document public events. The suit cited Ovalle as one example, stating that he had been struck by crowd-control munitions fired by LAPD officers on June 10.

Ovalle said that he felt “there is a palpable hostility, and it’s clear they want to discourage full, free coverage.”

“I hope this doesn’t discourage anyone from showing up and covering what is going on,” he added.

When reached for comment, the LAPD directed the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker to the department’s social media accounts. In a June 11 statement posted to X, the department acknowledged that LAPD officers used numerous “less-lethal rounds” when responding to the protests, but did not address the use of munitions against identifiable press.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include comments and further details about the assault from Ovalle, and additional information from the Los Angeles Police Department.