Journalist Shot with Explosive Device While Wearing Press Badge at L.A. Protest Shares His ‘Surprise’ at Officers’ Escalation

British photojournalist Nick Stern found himself in the hospital after being struck in the leg by a police-fired explosive while documenting a protest over ICE raids in Los Angeles on June 7. Stern, who was wearing a visible press badge and carrying professional camera equipment, shared his surprise at the officers’ unexpected escalation during the demonstration. Speaking to PEOPLE from his hospital bed at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Stern expressed his astonishment at the turn of events. He recounted his experience of capturing images of peaceful demonstrators waving Mexican flags when he suddenly felt intense pain in his left thigh.

Despite taking measures to be identifiable as media through his press ID and equipment, Stern was still targeted by law enforcement. The explosive device became embedded deeply in his leg, leading to emergency surgery to have it removed. The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. local time during a protest responding to reported ICE raids in Southern California, escalating tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement. Stern clarified that he was in plain view behind a group of peaceful protesters and not engaging in any aggressive behavior when he was shot.

The explosive device, described as a flash bang in a hard plastic casing, caused significant damage as it buried itself in Stern’s leg muscle. Reflecting on his extensive experience covering protests worldwide, Stern revealed that this wasn’t his first injury on the job. In the 2020 George Floyd protests, he was hit by a foam projectile that resulted in a lasting bruise. However, the recent incident required surgery due to the severity of the injury. Despite being hurt, Stern maintained his dedication to his work, expressing the importance of documenting current events in the U.S. for historical records.

Following the attack, Stern received aid from fellow protesters who assisted him to safety and sought medical attention. The process of removing the device and subsequent treatment has left Stern unable to walk and reliant on antibiotics and drainage procedures. Concerns about infection due to the deep penetration of the object into his body have necessitated close monitoring and care post-surgery. Stern emphasized the need for law enforcement in Los Angeles to reconsider their treatment of the media, highlighting historical targeting and the lack of significant change despite previous incidents.

In response to the incident, a statement from the L.A. Sheriff’s Department indicated ongoing review of footage to ascertain their involvement while reaffirming their commitment to facilitating media coverage safely. The department stressed the importance of transparency and collaboration with journalists to ensure accurate reporting during events like protests. Despite the traumatic experience, Stern remains resolute in his resolve to continue his work, acknowledging the personal risks involved in capturing essential stories. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges journalists face in the line of duty, underlining the critical role of media in informing the public and documenting significant events.