LOS ANGELES, CA — A New York Post photographer was shot in the head with a rubber bullet by California Highway Patrol (CHP) during Sunday’s volatile protests in downtown Los Angeles, raising urgent concerns about press freedom and law enforcement accountability.
Veteran photojournalist Toby Canham, 59, was struck while covering the anti-ICE demonstration near the 101 Freeway. Despite wearing a visible press pass and standing alone on an elevated platform, Canham was hit in the forehead by a rubber bullet fired from roughly 100 yards away. The incident was recorded on his camera and shared widely, igniting public outrage and prompting calls for an official investigation.
Timeline of Events
Canham had been filming the protest just off the freeway when a flashbang detonated nearby, spraying shrapnel that tore holes in his pants. Seconds later, he captured footage of someone hurling a liquid-filled water bottle at police — an act which occurred 20 seconds before he was shot.
“I just got shot in the head!” Canham can be heard screaming in the footage. The impact left him with whiplash, neck pain, and a large contusion above his eye. “There was no justification for even aiming the rifle at me,” Canham told The Post. “I wasn’t surrounded, so I was an easy target.”
Canham, a British Army veteran and father of two, spent Monday receiving medical treatment.
Escalating Tensions, Unanswered Questions
The shooting occurred on the same day another journalist, Lauren Tomasi from 9 News Australia, was also shot with a rubber bullet while covering the unrest. These incidents occurred amid escalating protests against federal immigration raids, which have seen thousands march in opposition to ICE activity in the city.
Protesters blocked traffic on the 101 Freeway and lit self-driving cars on fire. Law enforcement responded with force, including flashbangs and rubber bullets. Riot police eventually pushed demonstrators off the freeway and onto nearby ramps, where journalists like Canham were documenting events.
Authorities say protesters have thrown water bottles, rocks, and other objects at police during the demonstrations. However, media advocates say targeting credentialed journalists violates constitutional protections.
Official Silence and Legal Implications
Neither the California Highway Patrol nor the Los Angeles Police Department have issued public statements addressing Canham’s injury. A CHP spokesperson declined comment. LAPD issued only: “The incident needs to be investigated.” Governor Gavin Newsom’s office and the Mayor of Los Angeles also referred questions to local authorities, without further comment.
Civil liberties groups are demanding immediate answers. “Targeting journalists is unacceptable in a democracy,” said Maya Patel, policy director at the California First Amendment Coalition. “There must be a transparent investigation and clear accountability for any unlawful use of force.”
Legal experts point out that federal and state law protect journalists under the First Amendment. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press emphasized that even during civil unrest, law enforcement must take “reasonable measures” to protect — not endanger — members of the media.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documented over 400 assaults on journalists by law enforcement during protests in 2020. Advocates worry that incidents like Canham’s suggest a continued pattern of disregard for media safety.
A Pressing Need for Reform
The protest came just as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deployed 700 Marines to reinforce the 300 National Guard members already stationed in Los Angeles. Critics say the military escalation may further endanger civilians and journalists alike.
Meanwhile, Canham is recovering and reflecting. “I could have lost an eye or worse,” he said. “I understand the risks, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK for police to shoot someone just doing their job.”
Were you at Sunday’s protest? Have you or someone you know experienced violence while reporting or demonstrating? Share your story in the comments below.
