STATEMENT ON THE BLINDING OF USC FRESHMAN TUCKER COLLINS BY DHS OFFICER

MARINA del REY, Calif., April 8, 2026 — Civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone represents 18-year-old Tucker Collins, who was shot and blinded in his right eye by a DHS officer in downtown Los Angeles during a No Kings March.

Tucker is a USC freshman majoring in astronautical engineering with a minor in cinematic arts. An avid photographer who makes short films, Tucker had followed behind a group that splintered off to bring their March 28 protest to the sidewalk outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. Video shows Tucker at the rear of the crowd obviously documenting the scene, even stepping out of the way of passers-by.

A projectile struck Tucker directly in his eye, destroying his eyeball and fracturing the bones in his eye socket. DeSimone suspects the object was a pepper ball.

Today, DeSimone issued the following statement:

“Tucker suffered a life-altering injury documenting a protest, not participating in violence. That should alarm anyone who cares about civil rights, press freedom, and accountability. 

“He was not threatening anyone. He wasn’t attacking anyone. DHS officers took out his eye and they did it despite a federal injunction that plainly forbids firing these weapons at people’s heads. 

“They didn’t shoot him for their own protection – Tucker was shot in another overt act of repression.”

A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, where Tucker and DeSimone will speak about that day, Tucker’s blinding, and the federal tort claim that will be filed against the United States of America and Department of Homeland Security. The location is 4052 Del Rey Ave., Suite 102, Marina Del Rey, Calif.

See coverage here:

KTLA: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/anti-ice-demonstrator-blinded-by-federal-agent-in-santa-ana-protest-speaks-out/

LATIMES: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-07/teen-who-attended-la-no-kings-rally-shot-blinded-by-dhs-agent-attorney-says

USC ANNENBERG MEDIA: https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2026/04/07/usc-freshman-student-shot-at-no-kings-protest/

NEW YORK TIMES STORY: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/usc-student-loses-eye-no-kings-protest.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZlA.OnZl.5hXuBUJNH_f3&smid=url-share