Teenager loses eye after being struck by less-lethal projectile at Los Angeles protest

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:21:00 +0200

A teenager, Tucker Collins, lost his right eye after being struck by a less-lethal projectile during a 'No Kings' protest in Los Angeles on March 28. Collins, a freshman at USC, was at the protest to take photos when a projectile, reportedly containing chemical irritants, hit him in the face. His attorney, V. James DeSimone, expressed concerns about law enforcement targeting press members rather than protestors causing violence. The incident is now part of a federal civil rights lawsuit that DeSimone plans to file on Collins' behalf. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about law enforcement using excessive force during protests, especially with less-lethal weapons that should not be used for crowd dispersal. This case is the latest in a string of lawsuits involving injuries from federal or local agents during demonstrations since June. Despite several federal injunctions banning the use of tear gas and less-lethal projectiles against protesters, incidents like this continue to rai