A New York Post photographer took a rubber bullet to the forehead while documenting the chaos of anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. Toby Canham, a 59-year-old veteran lensman, was struck by a California Highway Patrol officer’s less-lethal round, raising fresh concerns about law enforcement’s handling of journalists. His camera rolled, capturing the shocking moment.
Canham, on assignment for the Post, was filming violent clashes between rioters and police when the incident occurred. The protests, sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions against unauthorized migrants, saw thousands block the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. Canham stood on an elevated platform, press pass visible, recording the unrest.
Rioters hurled rocks and water bottles at police, while some set self-driving cars ablaze. An unidentified individual distributed riot shields and gas masks from a pickup truck, escalating tensions. Law enforcement, positioned under an overpass, responded with force to push the crowd onto an exit ramp.
Canham noticed a water bottle thrown from his left and began recording just 20 seconds before the shot. From 100 yards away, a CHP officer fired the rubber bullet that struck his forehead, leaving a massive bruise and whiplash. “F–k, f–k, I just got shot in the head!” Canham exclaimed, his footage documenting the pain.
The impact sent Canham, a father of two and former British Army member, crashing to the ground. He spent Monday in the hospital, treated for neck pain and whiplash. Based on the description of the event, it is understandable why the officer fired in that direction, but the press pass should have given him pause for concern.
“When I got whacked, to my best recollection, it was just me filming with my cameras on and then I got shot,” Canham said. His account paints a troubling picture: a lone photographer, isolated on a platform, made an “easy target” for a trigger-happy officer. Actions, it seems, have consequences.
Before the shot, a flashbang exploded near Canham, its shrapnel tearing two holes in his pants. The unrest had been simmering for days, with law enforcement clashing repeatedly with violent protesters. An Australian reporter was also hit by a rubber bullet, with some suggesting the police were targeting journalists so they would not report on police actions, but that seems far-fetched.
“Where I was hit, I was the only person overlooking the freeway,” Canham noted. “I wasn’t surrounded, so I was an easy target.” His words underscore a chilling reality: journalists, even those standing apart from the fray, aren’t safe when tensions boil over.
The Los Angeles Police Department offered a curt “no comment,” insisting the incident needs investigation. Dodging accountability while a photographer nurses injuries won’t cut it. Transparency, not silence, is what the public deserves.
The protests, fueled by opposition to ICE’s enforcement, turned a major freeway into a battleground. Rioters’ actions—burning cars, throwing objects—crossed into lawlessness, undermining any legitimate grievances. Yet, law enforcement’s response, particularly against the press, risks fueling the very unrest they aim to quell.
Canham’s footage, now a stark record of the incident, highlights the dangers journalists face in volatile situations. “It’s a real shame,” he said, criticizing the lack of justification for aiming a rifle at him. His frustration is warranted; no press pass should double as a bullseye.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deployed 700 Marines to support 300 National Guard troops and local authorities in Los Angeles. The scale of the response reflects the severity of the unrest. But military presence alone won’t address the underlying issues driving these clashes.
Canham’s injury isn’t just a personal blow; it’s a warning shot to press freedom. Journalists must work without fear of becoming targets, especially when documenting public unrest. Law enforcement’s job is to protect, not endanger, those reporting the truth. Mistakes will surely be made, but they need to remain calm under pressure. Simply put, they need to do better.
The CHP’s use of rubber bullets against the press demands scrutiny. If officers can’t distinguish between rioters and reporters, training or leadership has failed. Accountability, not excuses, must follow.
Sunday’s chaos in Los Angeles exposed a city on edge, with anti-ICE fervor colliding with law enforcement’s heavy hand. Canham’s ordeal, captured on camera, should prompt reflection on how far both sides are willing to go. Freedom to report shouldn’t come with a hospital bill.
