LOS ANGELES, CA — A University of Southern California (USC) freshman has been permanently blinded in one eye after being struck by a "less-lethal" projectile fired by a federal agent during a protest in downtown Los Angeles. The incident, which occurred during the nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations on March 28, 2026, has sparked renewed outcry over federal use-of-force tactics against civilians and student journalists.

Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old astronautical engineering student with a minor in cinematic arts, was documenting the protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center when he was injured. According to his attorney, V. James DeSimone, Collins was using his camera to record the scene from behind the front lines when he was suddenly struck in the face.

The medical impact on the victim has been catastrophic, beginning with a traumatic enucleation after doctors were unable to save his right eye, necessitating its surgical removal. The force of the federal projectile also caused multiple facial fractures, specifically shattering the bones within his eye socket. Now in the phase of ongoing recovery, Collins is facing the challenge of adjusting to a permanent loss of vision while remarkably attempting to maintain his rigorous engineering coursework.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the actions of its agents, characterizing the demonstration as a riot rather than a peaceful assembly.

"The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly—not rioting," a DHS spokesperson stated. The agency alleged that "rioters" threw rocks, bottles, and cement blocks at officers, and that seven warnings were issued before crowd control measures were deployed.

However, DeSimone maintains that Collins was a non-violent observer documenting the event. "Tucker suffered a life-altering injury documenting a protest, not participating in violence. That should alarm anyone who cares about civil rights and press freedom," DeSimone said. He plans to file a federal tort claim next week—the necessary first step before a formal lawsuit can be initiated against the government.

The injury to the USC student follows a string of similar incidents documented during the "No Kings" protests, which were organized to rally against federal policies and the rising cost of living.

The context of force surrounding the incident highlights significant policy violations, as legal counsel notes that the headshot appears to breach federal and CBP protocols prohibiting the targeting of the head or spine unless deadly force is warranted.

This confrontation unfolded against a backdrop of escalating unrest linked to the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, fueled by deep political divisions over immigration and agency reform. In response, the legal team has issued a call for witnesses, seeking video footage and first-hand accounts to establish a clear timeline of the agent’s actions during the protest.

As Collins navigates his recovery, his case has become a focal point for advocacy groups calling for stricter oversight of federal law enforcement operating within urban protest zones.