LA teen loses eye after DHS agent shoots at protest

A freshman at the University of Southern California, Tucker Collins, lost his right eye after being shot with a "less-lethal" projectile by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent during the No Kings protest in Los Angeles on 28 March. His attorney, V James DeSimone, stated that Collins was photographing the protest when he was struck, fracturing the bones in his eye socket. DeSimone emphasized that Collins was not threatening anyone and accused DHS of committing an "overt act of repression" despite a federal injunction prohibiting the use of such projectiles against individuals posing no threat.

In September, a California judge had issued a court order limiting the DHS's use of force against journalists and legal observers. DeSimone plans to file a federal tort claim against DHS on Collins's behalf, citing the wrongful act of a federal employee. A DHS spokesperson defended the actions of law enforcement, claiming they followed training protocols and used the minimum amount of force necessary, stating that seven warnings were given before crowd-control measures were implemented. The incident occurred amid a larger context of protests, with dozens of demonstrators arrested for failing to comply with dispersal orders, and previous instances of alleged excessive force by police against protesters.

Power Read: The incident underscores the increasing tensions between law enforcement and protesters, particularly regarding the treatment of journalists and observers at demonstrations. The DHS's defense of its actions may further alienate public sentiment against federal authorities, especially in light of legal restrictions on the use of force. Collins's case could set a precedent for accountability, potentially empowering other victims of excessive force to seek legal recourse. The strategic play for the DHS may involve reinforcing its narrative of maintaining order, but the backlash from incidents like this could undermine public trust and provoke further scrutiny of its practices.

What to watch: The upcoming federal tort claim filed by Collins's attorney could lead to significant legal implications for DHS's crowd control policies.