The family of a student at the University of Southern California (USC) demanded an investigation by the authorities of Los Angeles and California after the young man lost an eye from a non-lethal projectile fired by a federal agent during a demonstration.
In a statement from their attorneys, the relatives of Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old USC freshman, They requested in writing that the Los Angeles and state police corporations initiate a criminal investigation about the shooting, which occurred on March 28.
Letters written by Tucker’s father, George Collins, They were sent to the general prosecutor of California, Rob Bonta; to Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto; to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and the Justice System Integrity Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
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The Tucker family’s lawyers mentioned that They have not received a response from any of the Los Angeles or California offices.
“Tucker did not participate in any violent acts, nor did anyone in his immediate environment.. More importantly, Section 13652(b)(9) states: ‘Kinetic energy projectiles must not be aimed at the head, neck, or any other personal organ,’ Tucker’s father wrote in the letters.
On March 28, Tucker Collins was hit by a less lethal projectile while photographing a protest in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
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Tucker was in the crowd holding a large professional SLR camera when a non-lethal projectile fired by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent hit him in the face.
Due to the impact, Tucker lost his right eye. The lawyers said the surgeon, Dr. Marcos Lemor, had no choice but to remove the eye after the fracture of the orbital bone, the rupture of the eyeball and the introduction of a heavy plastic and metallic substance into it, which is believed to be bismuth.
The USC student also suffered facial disfigurement, to his eyelid and eyebrow, and probably a traumatic brain injuryso he will have to undergo more surgeries in the future.
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The defenders assured that Tucker He had not been ordered to disperse, was not threatening any officers, and was in a clearly visible location.while DHS agents were behind a steel fence and “not in any danger” when the shooting occurred.
“The attack is shocking and totally unjustified“George Collins declared in his letters.
“Tucker was wearing a red t-shirt, is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall, and was holding a camera to document the conduct of DHS agents. I think the DHS agent was targeting my son because he was documenting what was happening“Collins added.
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California Penal Code Section 13652, which regulates the use of kinetic energy projectiles during assemblies and protests, specifically prohibits shooting at people’s heads unless the officer is in imminent danger.
“Law enforcement must stop firing these dangerous projectiles at the heads of people in crowds. They have caused blindness, fractures of the skull, jaw and nose, and head injuries.“said civil rights attorney V. James DeSimeone, representing the family.
“It is a clear violation of the penal code and the only way to hold them accountable is through criminal proceedings“added the lawyer.
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DeSimeone filed a federal lawsuit on April 15 for damages against the Department of Homeland Security, which represents the first step in suing a federal agency.
Tucker, an astronautical engineering student at USC, I had never had problems with the authoritiesassured his father.
“There appears to be a clear pattern of abuse of force by DHS across the country.. “I believe you can help protect the people of Los Angeles by showing that you will not turn a blind eye to abuses that violate California law,” Collins wrote to the various law enforcement agencies.
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The student’s family said videos recorded on Tucker’s camera and those of others who documented the incident show that the federal agents were not in danger, so the shooting was unjustified.
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