USC Freshman Loses Eye After Being Shot by DHS Agent at Los Angeles Protest
An 18-year-old freshman at the University of Southern California has lost an eye after being shot with a "less-lethal" projectile by a Department of Homeland Security agent during a No Kings protest in Los Angeles last month, according to his attorney. Tucker Collins was photographing demonstrators when the incident occurred, leading to severe injuries and a planned federal lawsuit.
Details of the Incident and Legal Allegations
On March 28, Tucker Collins took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles to document protesters who were denouncing Trump administration policies, as stated by his lawyer, V James DeSimone. Collins followed a group heading toward the Metropolitan detention center, a focal point for recent demonstrations. In a video shared by DeSimone, Collins is seen holding a camera when he suddenly falls to his knees after being struck in the right eye by a crowd-control projectile.
The impact fractured the bones in his eye socket, and the eye was later surgically removed. DeSimone emphasized that Collins posed no threat, accusing DHS of an "overt act of repression" and violating a federal injunction that prohibits firing such weapons at people's heads, especially journalists and legal observers.
Response from Authorities and Broader Context
A spokesperson for DHS defended the actions, stating that the first amendment protects peaceful assembly but not rioting, and that law enforcement used minimum force after giving seven warnings. They claimed the measures were necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property. However, DeSimone countered that video evidence shows Collins was at the rear of the crowd, clearly documenting the scene and stepping aside for passersby.
Photographs from that day reveal police deploying teargas into a crowd of about 150 people near the detention center, with authorities citing demonstrators throwing concrete blocks as a precipitating factor. Dozens were arrested for failing to comply with dispersal orders. This incident is part of a pattern, as earlier this year, a 23-year-old Los Angeles man sued the LAPD for excessive force after being blinded in an eye at an immigration protest, and in the fall, an LAPD officer fired a projectile at a reporter during another No Kings protest, causing injury.
Legal Recourse and Ongoing Implications
DeSimone plans to file a federal tort claim against DHS on Collins's behalf, seeking recourse for injuries caused by alleged wrongful acts of federal employees. The case highlights ongoing tensions between protest rights and law enforcement tactics in Los Angeles, raising questions about the use of force and compliance with court orders designed to protect first amendment activities.
