A peaceful protest shouldn't end with a shattered face. But for one man in Los Angeles, a demonstration against ICE turned into a life-altering disaster when a "less-lethal" projectile from the LAPD allegedly blinded him in one eye. This isn't just a single tragic accident. It’s a symptom of a systemic failure in how the city manages crowds, and the legal fallout is just beginning to surface.
The victim, Atlachinolli Tezcacoatl, was participating in a summer 2025 rally when things went south. According to a recently filed civil rights lawsuit, LAPD officers began advancing on the crowd without warning. Tezcacoatl claims he was backing away with his hands up, filming the scene on his phone, when he was hit twice by 40mm foam projectiles. One struck his ribs; the other hit his face. The impact didn't just hurt—it shattered his jaw and caused permanent vision loss in his left eye.
Why Less-Lethal Weapons Are Anything But
We call them "less-lethal," but that name is a bit of a lie. These 40mm launchers fire projectiles the size of a mini soda can at speeds exceeding 200 mph. They’re designed to cause "dissuasive pain," but when they hit a head or a throat, they become deadly instruments.
LAPD’s own policy is clear: you don't aim for the head, neck, groin, or spine. These areas are strictly off-limits because the risk of catastrophic injury is too high. Yet, time and again, we see protesters leaving these events with broken bones and ruptured eyeballs. It’s not just about the equipment; it’s about the people behind the trigger. If an officer is trained to hit a "belt-line" target but ends up hitting a face, it suggests one of two things: either they’re poorly trained, or they’re aiming for the head on purpose.
The Court Finally Steps In
The legal pressure has reached a boiling point. In early 2026, a federal judge finally slammed the brakes on this practice. U.S. District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall issued an order banning the LAPD from using these 40mm launchers for crowd control. The ruling came after evidence surfaced that the department repeatedly ignored previous restrictions.
It's a huge win for activists, but don't think the LAPD is giving up their toys that easily. Almost as soon as the ban took effect, the department pivoted to the FN303. This is another "less-lethal" launcher that fires .68 caliber projectiles containing metal shards and irritants. Chief Jim McDonnell basically told the Police Commission that since they can't use the 40mm, the FN303 is their "alternative option."
Essentially, the city is playing a shell game with weapons that maim. When one gets banned, they just reach for the next one in the box.
The True Cost of Crowd Control
When police departments mess up, taxpayers pay the bill. We’ve seen this movie before. In 2023, a jury awarded $375,000 to Deon Jones after an LAPD officer shot him in the face during the 2020 protests. Another woman secured a $1.5 million settlement for similar injuries.
Tezcacoatl’s lawsuit is the latest in a mountain of litigation that could bankrupt the city's general fund. His claims are harrowing:
- Two surgeries at Huntington Memorial Hospital to repair facial fractures.
- The development of glaucoma in his remaining "good" eye due to the trauma.
- Chronic, daily pain that prevents him from returning to his job as a caregiver.
The city's defense usually hinges on "officer safety" or "chaotic environments," but video evidence often tells a different story. In many of these cases, the victims weren't throwing rocks or brandishing weapons. They were filming, shouting, or simply trying to leave the area when they were targeted.
What This Means for Future Protests
If you're planning to exercise your First Amendment rights in Los Angeles, the landscape has changed. The 40mm ban is a massive shift, but it doesn’t mean the danger is gone. The department still has access to chemical irritants, batons, and these "new" FN303 launchers.
State law (AB 48 and AB 481) was supposed to make these deployments transparent. However, reports show the LAPD has missed multiple deadlines to disclose how many rounds they’ve fired and what injuries occurred. Without that data, accountability is just a buzzword.
If you find yourself at a protest, keep these things in mind:
- Film everything. Your phone is your best defense in a courtroom.
- Know the line. If an "unlawful assembly" is declared, the legal protections for police use of force change instantly.
- Watch the hands. Officers carrying launchers with neon-green handles are usually the ones designated to fire projectiles.
The battle over how LA polices its streets isn't over. It's moving from the pavement to the courtroom, and the stakes are literally people's lives and sight. The city needs to decide if maintaining order is worth the price of a citizen's eye.
If you or someone you know was injured during a recent protest, don't wait for the city to "do the right thing." Document your injuries immediately. Seek medical attention from a neutral provider. Get a copy of any footage from the night in question. The window for filing a claim against a government entity is shorter than you think, usually only six months in California. Talk to a civil rights attorney who actually knows the LAPD’s Use of Force Tactics Directive No. 3 inside and out.
