That is what happens when you are stupid.
First: If you are a reporter covering violent conflict, you should expect that violence may touch you. Old school war journos knew that and begrudgingly accepted it. Some lost their lives.
Second: If you are used as shield by one side while they commit violence and you don’t get out of the way, you will get tagged by the other side. If you are a willing shield for one side, you deserve to be tagged.
Third: If you do not understand both points above, whatever painful shit happens to you is well deserved.
"only person overlooking the freeway"
That would look like a sniper to me.
Reporter: why did you shoot him with a rubber bullet?
Cop: I didn't have a real bullet.
I don't think there is enough Arnicare (r) to take care of that bruise.
He was probably mistaken as a spotter for the rioters and "subdued".