USC Student Disputes Federal Account of 'No Kings' Protest Warnings

Tucker Collins, 18, lost his right eye after being struck by a projectile while filming the protest outside a Los Angeles detention center.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:08pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a lone figure holding a camera on an empty city street, bathed in warm, diagonal streetlights and deep shadows, conceptually representing the aftermath of a confrontation between protesters and federal agents.The haunting aftermath of a confrontation between protesters and federal agents leaves one young documentarian with a devastating injury.Los Angeles Today

A University of Southern California freshman who lost his right eye after being struck by a projectile while filming a 'No Kings' protest in Los Angeles is disputing the federal government's account that multiple warnings were issued before force was deployed. Tucker Collins, 18, says he was only recording the protest and heard no warning before he was hit, an account that contradicts statements from the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters, as well as questions around the use of force by federal agents during demonstrations. The case also raises concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists and bystanders documenting protests.

The details

According to Collins, he was at the protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on March 28 to document the event, given his interest in photography and filmmaking. He says he was struck in the eye by a less-lethal projectile fired by a DHS agent, which destroyed his eyeball and fractured the bones in his eye socket. Collins maintains he was only recording and not participating in the protest, and that he heard no warning before being hit.

  • The incident occurred on March 28, 2026 during a 'No Kings' protest in downtown Los Angeles.
  • Collins filed a federal tort claim act on April 15, 2026, seeking compensation from the Department of Homeland Security.

The players

Tucker Collins

An 18-year-old University of Southern California freshman who lost his right eye after being struck by a projectile while filming a 'No Kings' protest in Los Angeles.

V. James DeSimone

The attorney representing Tucker Collins in his federal tort claim against the Department of Homeland Security.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that Collins claims was responsible for firing the projectile that struck and destroyed his eye.

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What’s next

The federal tort claim act filed by Collins gives the Department of Homeland Security six months to respond, after which he may proceed with a potential civil rights lawsuit.

The takeaway

This incident raises serious questions about the use of force by federal agents against protesters and bystanders, as well as the safety of journalists and others documenting demonstrations. It underscores the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the public's right to peacefully assemble and exercise free speech.