Homeland Security Agent's Projectile Blinded USC Student at Anti-Trump Protest
The incident, deemed an 'overt act of repression' by the student's attorney, raises concerns about the militarization of protest policing and the targeting of dissent.
Los Angeles, CA – Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old USC freshman, has lost an eye after being shot with a 'less-lethal' projectile, allegedly by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent, during a 'No Kings' protest in downtown Los Angeles on March 28. This tragic incident, according to his attorney, V James DeSimone, represents an alarming escalation in the suppression of First Amendment rights and a disturbing pattern of excessive force against protesters exercising their right to assemble and voice dissent against the Trump administration's policies.
Collins was documenting the protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center, a frequent site of demonstrations against federal policies, when he was struck in the eye. The projectile shattered bones in his eye socket, ultimately leading to the surgical removal of his eye. DeSimone argues that this was not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader pattern of aggressive policing tactics aimed at chilling free speech and silencing opposition. He emphasizes that Collins posed no threat and was simply exercising his right to observe and record the protest.
The incident occurred despite a federal injunction issued in September, limiting the DHS's use of force against journalists and legal observers who pose no threat. DeSimone argues that the shooting constitutes a clear violation of this injunction and a deliberate act of repression. He plans to file a federal tort claim against the DHS, seeking justice for Collins and holding the agency accountable for its actions.
The DHS claims its officers used the 'minimum amount of force necessary' and issued seven warnings before deploying crowd-control measures. However, critics argue that the use of projectiles, even 'less-lethal' ones, is inherently dangerous and disproportionate, especially when directed at individuals who are not actively engaged in violence. They point to the growing militarization of police forces and the increasing use of aggressive tactics against peaceful protesters as evidence of a systemic problem.
This incident is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, a 23-year-old man sued the LAPD after being blinded in one eye by a projectile at an immigration protest. An investigative reporter for LA Taco was also injured while dodging a 'crowd-control projectile' fired by an LAPD officer during a 'No Kings' protest. These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of law enforcement using excessive force against protesters and journalists, often with impunity.
