A 23-year-old Los Angeles man was blinded in one eye by a law enforcement projectile at an immigration protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center on January 31, according to Jesus Javier Gomez Islas and his lawyers. An 18-year-old college student was filming protests outside the same facility on March 28 when an officer fired a projectile into his face, destroying his right eye and fracturing the bones in the socket, as detailed in Tucker Collins's complaint. Doctors told Jesus Javier Gomez Islas he would not regain sight in his right eye and he is in danger of losing sight in his left eye due to complications, based on his claim and lawyers.
Tucker Collins's damaged eye had to be surgically removed. Jesus Javier Gomez Islas filed a claim against the LAPD on Thursday for permanent injuries suffered at the protest. Tucker Collins has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Donald Trump's administration, demanding $100 million in damages.
I'm absolutely devastated, frustrated and betrayed by what we call law enforcement that are not really enforcing the law, but only bringing violence against our people. What they've done is horrible, monstrous, and for what?
Analysis by Jesus Javier Gomez Islas's lawyers suggests the projectile came from an LAPD weapon, though federal officers were also present. A federal tort complaint alleges officers began firing less-lethal munitions into the crowd without warning, striking Tucker Collins from 20 to 30 feet away. The LAPD declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security stated that the First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly, not rioting. According to The Guardian - World, Jesus Javier Gomez Islas described being in his work uniform and not posing a threat when he felt something punch his eye, leaving him panicked and scared. It remains unclear which specific law enforcement agency or officer fired the projectiles, and the exact circumstances and justification for the use of force have not been detailed by authorities.
I was in my work uniform at the time, dress shirt, dress pants, not posing a threat at all. Then suddenly I just felt something punch my eye ... I couldn't open my right eye. I was panicking ... I was scared.
The outcome of the complaints and any official responses are pending.
DHS has been turned into a weapon of terror, with no purpose other than to scare and brutalize.
I was recording when it happened. There was no warning. One moment I was recording and the next thing I know, I can't see. I'm on the floor, screaming in agony.
I was blind for a couple moments. I tried to swallow the pain as fast as I could, and be as clear and level headed as fast as I could. I remember feeling blood on my face.
It started to creep into my lungs. I couldn't see anything. I didn't know what was going on.