USC Student Blinded in Eye During 'No Kings' Protest, Plans Lawsuit Against DHS

Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old USC freshman, is seeking justice after a DHS officer fired a projectile that destroyed his eyeball during a recent downtown LA rally.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:38am

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A close-up painting of a protester's eye patch, bathed in warm, dramatic lighting and shadows, conveying the somber mood and personal impact of the violent encounter.A protester's life-altering injury exposes the harsh realities of clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators.Los Angeles Today

A USC freshman named Tucker Collins is preparing to file a federal civil rights lawsuit after he was struck in the eye by a projectile fired by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer during a 'No Kings' protest in downtown Los Angeles last month. The incident left Collins blinded in one eye, and he is now calling for accountability and a criminal investigation into the officer's actions.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters, as well as concerns over the use of force by federal agencies like DHS during demonstrations. It also raises questions about the policies and training governing crowd control tactics used by DHS officers.

The details

According to Collins, he was at the protest to take photos and witness history when a DHS officer fired a projectile directly at his face, destroying his eyeball and fracturing bones in his eye socket. Collins says he was not throwing anything or agitating the officers, and that there was a fence between him and the officers when he was struck. His attorney is calling for a criminal investigation into the incident.

  • The 'No Kings' protest took place on March 28, 2026 in downtown Los Angeles.
  • Collins was struck in the eye by the projectile during the protest.

The players

Tucker Collins

An 18-year-old USC freshman who was struck in the eye by a projectile fired by a DHS officer during a 'No Kings' protest, leaving him blinded in one eye.

V. James Desimone

The civil rights attorney representing Tucker Collins and calling for a criminal investigation into the incident.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency whose officer allegedly fired the projectile that struck and blinded Collins during the protest.

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What they’re saying

“One moment I was recording, and the next thing I know, I can't see. I'm on the floor, screaming in agony.”

— Tucker Collins, USC Freshman

“We call upon our local officials -- the city of Los Angeles, the mayor of Los Angeles, the police chief -- to conduct a criminal investigation into the shot that took out Tucker Collins' eyes.”

— V. James Desimone, Civil Rights Attorney

What’s next

Collins and his attorney plan to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against DHS over the incident that left him blinded in one eye.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters, as well as concerns over the use of force by federal agencies like DHS during demonstrations. It also raises questions about the policies and training governing crowd control tactics used by DHS officers.