The reputation of the LAPD among California citizens has been particularly horrible. It’s not rare to hear news of officers being excessively violent toward peaceful Los Angeles protesters. Unfortunately, it seems these officers have yet to learn or change. Recently, another troubling incident occurred involving them. Reporter Lexis-Olivier Ray, who works for LA Taco and is known online as @ShotOn35mm, was reportedly shot with a 40mm less-lethal round while covering a nighttime protest in Los Angeles. Another reporter, FilmThePoliceLA, captured the entire incident on video and immediately called out the officers responsible. He pointed out that officers are only permitted to use such rounds when they are physically threatened. However, no such threat existed when the LAPD officer decided to shoot @ShotOn35mm.
FilmThePoliceLA criticized the officers for using gunfire as a form of intimidation against peaceful protesters who were simply expressing their opinions. He shouted that they had just shot a member of the press, which was illegal, as journalists are exempt from dispersal orders. Despite this, the LAPD officers appeared unconcerned and dismissive. Instead of acknowledging their wrongdoing, they accused Lexis-Olivier of being “fake press.” The officers even went as far as warning him not to get in their way, threatening that he would be shot again if he did.
FilmThePoliceLA argued back, saying that nobody was standing in the way and that the officers were the ones acting unlawfully. He demanded that they provide their serial numbers, but, as expected, they ignored him. The confrontation highlighted a growing sense of frustration among both journalists and civilians in Los Angeles who feel targeted for simply exercising their rights.
For many who witnessed the video online, the incident was both harrowing and enraging. Internet users flooded comment sections with outrage. “LAPD needs purged badly,” one user wrote bluntly. Others encouraged viewers to report the officer who had the audacity to call @ShotOn35mm “fake press,” identifying him as “Officer 39415.” “Y’all better demand accountability for that officer,” another commenter demanded.
Some users expressed disbelief at what they saw, questioning why the LAPD acted so aggressively in a situation that clearly didn’t call for force. Even if Lexis-Olivier hadn’t been a verified member of the press, they argued, shooting him was still unacceptable. Nobody in the crowd was being violent or threatening, and using any kind of projectile weapon, even a non-lethal one, was a clear abuse of power. Many commenters, however, doubted that any consequences would follow. “They know the rules,” one user wrote. “They also know no one will stop them.”
