LAPD Cop Shoots Woman with Rubber Bullet—And the Video’s Gone Viral
Man, social media’s on fire this week. There’s this TikTok video—posted by someone named Alexandria—that shows an LAPD officer shooting a woman with what looks like a rubber bullet. Point-blank range. On her own street. And honestly? It’s messed up. The clip blew up overnight, and now everyone’s screaming for answers. But here’s the thing: why does this one video matter so much? Let’s break it down.
What Actually Went Down?
Okay, so picture this: quiet LA neighborhood, regular Tuesday afternoon. Then bam—cops everywhere. In the video, you see this woman just… walking. Next thing you know, an officer lifts his weapon and pop—hits her from like three feet away. No warning, no visible threat. Just… why?
Witnesses say she wasn’t armed. Wasn’t threatening anyone. But the LAPD? They’re calling it a “rapidly evolving situation.” Right. Because nothing says “evolving” like shooting someone who’s literally just existing.
The Cop Response (Because Of Course There’s One)
So the department released this statement—classic PR move. They claim the woman “ignored commands” (did she, though?) and that rubber bullets are a “measured response.” Measured. From three feet away. Sure.
Here’s what gets me: rubber bullets aren’t harmless. Ask any ER doc—they’ve seen people with shattered eye sockets, broken ribs, even internal bleeding from these things. And the LAPD’s own rules say you shouldn’t fire them up close. But rules schmules, I guess.
Twitter’s Losing It (Rightfully So)
The comments under that video? Brutal. One tweet stuck with me: “If this is ‘protect and serve,’ I’d hate to see ‘harass and assault.'” Can’t argue with that. Meanwhile, protesters are camped outside the precinct demanding answers. Again.
Talk to locals, and they’ll tell you this isn’t new. Maria Ruiz—she’s been organizing in the community for years—puts it bluntly: “Cops here don’t de-escalate. They escalate.” And she’s not wrong. How many times have we seen this play out?
Rubber Bullets Aren’t Nerf Guns
Let me put it this way: just because something’s called “less lethal” doesn’t mean it’s safe. It’s like calling a baseball bat “less deadly” than a knife. Technically true, but swing it hard enough and you’re still going to the hospital.
Remember 2020? Those protest injuries weren’t from rainbows and sunshine. And now this. At some point, we’ve got to stop pretending these weapons are harmless alternatives.
What Now?
Officially? There’s an “internal review.” Because that always works out so well. The Police Commission might get involved, but don’t hold your breath—these things move slower than LA traffic.
Best case? The officer gets disciplined (doubtful). Maybe some new rules about rubber bullets (we’ve heard that before). Worst case? Business as usual until the next viral video drops.
Look, this isn’t just about one bad apple or one bad day. It’s about a system that keeps letting this happen. And until that changes? Well. You’ll keep seeing these videos. And people will keep getting hurt.
If You Want to Do More:
- Original video here (warning: graphic)
- LAPD’s statement (prepare to roll your eyes)
- How to support police accountability efforts
Stay pissed, folks. It’s the only way anything changes.
Source: NY Post – US News
