Jesus Javier Gomez Islas, 23, says a so-called less-lethal LAPD projectile cost him his right eye during anti-ICE demonstrations on Jan. 31 near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles. He told reporters he had been talking with a friend and standing next to his scooter when, in his words, "I just felt something punch my eye," and said green paint suddenly covered his face as he realized he could not open his right eye. A claim seeking $100 million is expected to be filed against the city, and the LAPD says it is aware of the filing but is not commenting on pending litigation.
What the claim says
According to ABC7, the claim alleges that on Jan. 31, while Gomez Islas was near the federal detention center, he was struck in the eye by a "less-lethal projectile." ABC7 reports that he said he "couldn't open my right eye" and that he had been speaking with a friend who was with the media when the projectile hit.
Downtown confrontation
The injury unfolded during the "National Shutdown" anti-ICE demonstrations that drew hundreds of people to the Metropolitan Detention Center and, by evening, escalated into clashes with federal agents and LAPD officers, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. The outlet described officers using tear gas, pepper balls, and less-lethal rounds after authorities declared an unlawful assembly, along with a tactical alert and multiple detentions as the night wore on.
Legal fallout and precedent
Gomez Islas's filing lands while the city is already under legal fire over past protest responses. Courts and juries have awarded damages to people struck by less-lethal munitions in earlier cases, AP News reported, and local reporting has warned that settlements tied to recent anti-ICE protests alone could reach into the tens of millions of dollars. Civil-rights attorneys monitoring the fallout told LA Public Press they believe multiple claims and lawsuits could push the city's overall liability even higher.
What's next
Attorneys for Gomez Islas say a formal $100 million claim will be filed with the city, a procedural step that could set the stage for a civil lawsuit if there is no settlement, according to ABC7. The LAPD has said it is aware of the claim but has declined to comment on pending litigation. If the case moves forward, it is likely to trigger internal reviews and add yet another layer of scrutiny to the department's crowd-control tactics.
