Shot in the Head and Face at L.A. ‘No Kings’ Protest, Two Young Men Demand Justice

At two separate “No Kings” protests in Los Angeles, law enforcement’s reckless use of so-called less-lethal weapons left two young men with life-altering injuries. Micah Moore, 25, was shot in the head with a rubber bullet last June, losing hearing in his right ear. Tucker Collins, 18, a USC student, was blinded in one eye after being struck in March by a projectile fired by a federal agent.

Both men insist they were peaceful and provocation-free when targeted. Moore described the June protest near City Hall as calm and nonviolent, only to be shot in the face as he turned to leave. Collins recounted no warnings or dispersal orders before he was hit while photographing the March demonstration outside the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Their attorney, James DeSimone, represents at least 15 others injured by federal and local law enforcement during protests and immigration raids since last year. His clients include a guitarist with a shattered finger and a 79-year-old man who suffered a brain bleed after being slammed to the ground.

Despite official claims that protesters threw rocks and bottles, both Moore and Collins deny any violent behavior at the moments they were shot. Collins also accused officers of intentionally escalating tensions by spraying mace at peaceful protesters, only to justify later use of force.

The Los Angeles Police Department and Sheriff’s Department have not publicly responded to these specific allegations. Homeland Security officials declined to address Collins’ claims directly but justified their crowd control measures by citing warnings and attacks on officers.

Moore has filed a lawsuit against LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department, while Collins has filed a federal claim against the Department of Homeland Security, signaling plans for a civil rights lawsuit. DeSimone says internal investigations are underway but insists criminal accountability and disciplinary actions must follow.

These cases expose a troubling pattern of excessive force and disregard for constitutional rights at protests challenging the Trump administration’s policies. For Moore and Collins, the fight for justice is not just personal—it’s a demand for accountability in a system that too often protects law enforcement over the people they are supposed to serve.