Teen Loses Eye After DHS Agent Shoots Him at No Kings March

On March 28, 2026, Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Southern California, was shot in the eye with a “less-lethal” projectile by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent during a No Kings march in downtown Los Angeles. Collins was documenting the protest, which opposed the Trump administration's policies, when he was struck. His attorney, V James DeSimone, reported that the projectile caused severe damage, leading to the surgical removal of Collins's right eye.

The Guardian

The No Kings march was part of a series of protests against the Trump administration, with demonstrators gathering near the Metropolitan detention center, a site of previous protests. The event drew approximately 150 participants, and tensions escalated when demonstrators allegedly threw concrete blocks and other objects, prompting law enforcement to issue dispersal orders and deploy crowd-control measures, including tear gas.

The Guardian

DeSimone stated that Collins posed no threat during the incident, emphasizing that he was merely documenting the protest. He plans to file a federal tort claim against the DHS, citing a federal injunction that prohibits the use of force against journalists and legal observers who are not posing an imminent threat. In response, a DHS spokesperson defended the actions of law enforcement, stating, “Our law enforcement has followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property.” They also noted that seven warnings were issued before any crowd-control measures were enacted.

The Guardian

Critics, including DeSimone, argue that the shooting of Collins represents a broader pattern of excessive force used against peaceful protesters and journalists. DeSimone described the incident as an “overt act of repression,” highlighting concerns over the treatment of individuals exercising their First Amendment rights. This incident follows a troubling trend, as earlier this year, another individual sued the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after being blinded in an eye by a projectile during a separate immigration protest.

The Guardian

While the DHS maintains that their actions were justified due to demonstrators throwing objects, the characterization of the protest and the necessity of force is disputed by Collins's legal team and other observers. The LAPD has also faced scrutiny for similar incidents, with reports indicating that officers have previously targeted journalists during protests, raising questions about the treatment of media personnel in such situations.

The Guardian

• “He was not threatening anyone. He wasn’t attacking anyone. DHS officers took out his eye and they did it despite a federal injunction that plainly forbids firing these weapons at people’s heads,” — V James DeSimone, Attorney for Tucker Collins

The Guardian

• “A spokesperson for DHS said in a statement to the Guardian: “The first amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly – not rioting.” — DHS Spokesperson

The Guardian

This incident underscores ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters, particularly regarding the use of force during demonstrations. As legal actions unfold, the implications for protest rights and law enforcement practices remain a critical area of concern.

The Guardian