Teen who went to photograph L.A. 'No Kings' rally shot, blinded by Homeland Security agent, attorney says
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
A USC freshman who went to photograph a recent “No Kings” protest in downtown Los Angeles was allegedly shot with a less-lethal projectile by a Department of Homeland Security agent and had to have one of his eyes removed, according to his attorney.Tucker Collins, 18, was shot in the eye with what appeared to be a projectile containing chemical irritants during the March 28 demonstration, said his attorney, V.James DeSimone.
He was taken to the side of the protest at the Metropolitan Detention Center and given an eye patch.A nurse happened to be driving by and offered to take him to the hospital, DeSimone said.
“We’ve unfortunately seen in other instances where law enforcement has targeted the press with violence,” he told The Times.“Instead of targeting people who were throwing things into the crowd, they were targeting someone who was documenting and taking photos of the crowd.” The Department of Homeland Security didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.Collins, who is still recovering and wasn’t feeling well enough to be interviewed Monday, had his right eye removed as a result of his injuries, according to DeSimone.
“This is the third person who’s lost an eye, maybe the fourth by a [Department of Homeland Security agent].” DeSimone said.“Two were in Orange County.
I’m not representing those people but my former partners are.I see it as a really rampant problem across the board.” DeSimone’s law firm has represented at least 15 people who were allegedly injured by Homeland Security agents during protests since last June, including a guitar player whose finger was shattered and a 79-year-old car wash owner who was slammed to the ground and experienced a brain bleed.Federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions restricting Homeland Security and U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using tear gas, pepper-ball mu...