Protester Hit in Face by LAPD Projectile Files Claim

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A 25-year-old woman named Jasmin Lomas says she was struck in the face by a police projectile while leaving an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles on January 30th. Lomas underwent surgery and still has metal fragments lodged in her cheek. Her attorneys have filed a claim against the LAPD and plan to file a federal civil rights lawsuit.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the use of so-called "less-lethal" munitions by police at protests, which can still cause serious injuries. Past incidents have already cost cities millions in lawsuits, and Lomas's case aims to hold the LAPD accountable and push for policy changes around the policing of demonstrations.

The details

According to reports, Lomas was leaving the protest near the federal Metropolitan Detention Center when she was struck in the face by what appears to have been an FN303-style paint projectile fired by police. Lomas was rushed to the hospital and has already undergone surgery, with small metal fragments still lodged near her eye as she recovers. Her attorneys have filed an internal claim with the LAPD's Internal Affairs Division and plan to follow up with a federal civil rights lawsuit.

• The incident occurred on January 30, 2026 around 6 PM.
• Lomas's attorneys have filed an internal claim with the LAPD's Internal Affairs Division.
• The next step is for Lomas to undergo a CT scan to assess the remaining metal fragments in her face.

What’s next

Lomas's attorneys plan to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against the LAPD following the internal claim. Doctors are also planning a CT scan to assess the remaining metal fragments in Lomas's face.