Photojournalist wounded by LA County Sheriff’s Deputies covering ICE protest files claim for violating his civil rights

MARINA DEL REY, CALIF., June 17, 2025 – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies violated an injunction on the use of less-lethal weapons against anyone peacefully attending a protest when they shot a projectile into a crowd and wounded independent photojournalist Nick Stern while he was covering the news.

Stern was doing his job, documenting the June 7 ICE protests in Compton, Calif., when he was hit by shrapnel from what was likely a 40-millimeter explosive round fired in his direction. After the device exploded in his vicinity, the hard plastic casing rocketed into his thigh causing immediate, excruciating pain and severe bleeding. He required emergency surgery to remove the device’s plastic cap, which embedded in his thigh. The gaping wound left the 60-year-old unable to walk without assistive devices, and with physical pain and trauma.

Photojournalist Nick Stern and civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone will speak at a press conference announcing the filing of Sterns’ claim which will be held at 11 a.m. (Pacific) Tuesday, June 17, at the offices of V. James DeSimone Law, 13160 Mindanao Way, Suite 280, Marina del Rey, Calif.

(Photos and video can be found here.)

“Los Angeles County Sheriffs shot an explosive device directly into a crowd, violating its policies, an injunction, and the U.S. Constitution,” DeSimone said. “This intentional and reckless use of excessive force caused part of this explosive to lodge in Nick Stern’s leg. He is still in excruciating pain after it was surgically removed.”

Stern repeatedly identified himself as a journalist during the six hours he covered the demonstration prior to being wounded. About 9 p.m. he was standing on the south side of Alondra Boulevard, a few yards away from men chanting and waving Mexican flags. He was shooting photographs and video of protesters across the street who were hunkered down behind a makeshift barricade.

The small group of people Stern was nearest to were not posing any threat to deputies, not throwing anything at them, nor destroying or defacing any property.

Even so, deputies shot so-called “less lethal” projectiles at the group, risking serious injury or death to individuals exercising their rights under the First Amendment, DeSimone said.

“These deputies violated an injunction against this conduct and should be found in contempt of court,” DeSimone said. “After all of the evidence of the harm so-called less lethal projectiles caused previously to protesters, and the liability costs to the County of Los Angeles, why aren’t these deputies trained to show restraint and comply with the law?”

Los Angeles civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone has dedicated his 40-year law career to providing vigorous and ethical representation to achieve justice for those whose civil and constitutional rights are violated.

Additional Recourses/Coverage:

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article308835645.html

https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/news/local/lasd-sued-by-journalist-hit-by-less-lethal-in-compton

https://www.foxla.com/video/1660033