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Student Blinded at Protest Faces “Drastically Different” Future
A 21-year-old college student who lost vision in one eye after being struck by a projectile fired by a federal officer during a Southern California protest is now grappling with life-altering injuries and an uncertain future.
Kaden Rummler underwent an intensive six-hour surgery on his left eye following the January 9 demonstration in Santa Ana, where protesters had gathered to denounce the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. The injury has left him without depth perception and unable to drive.
“It’s going to affect every aspect of my life,” said Rummler, who had been pursuing a career in forestry before the incident.
According to Rummler’s attorney, John Washington, shards of metal and a nickel-sized piece of plastic remain lodged in the student’s skull. Medical professionals are concerned about potential toxicity from these materials but have been unable to get information from the Department of Homeland Security about the composition of the projectile.
A second demonstrator at the same protest, 31-year-old Britain Rodriguez, also reported being blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by federal agents. “I remember hitting the ground and feeling like my eye exploded in my head,” Rodriguez told the Los Angeles Times.
The confrontation occurred outside a federal immigration building in Orange County, where hundreds had marched to protest the killing of Renee Good. Video footage from OC Hawk, a local news-gathering group, shows a small group of officers in riot gear urging demonstrators to move back before firing crowd-control projectiles into the crowd.
In the video, an officer can be seen grabbing a protester, prompting Rummler and others to step forward. An officer then fired at Rummler from several feet away, striking him in the face. After falling to the ground, Rummler was dragged backward across the pavement and handcuffed, according to the footage.
The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to inquiries from The Associated Press about what type of projectile was used. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the agency, said in a statement that protesters were violent and two officers were injured, though she did not specify the extent of their injuries. DHS acknowledged that one demonstrator was taken to the hospital with what they characterized as “a cut” — a reference to Rummler, whose injury claims McLaughlin described as “absurd.”
Washington, a civil rights lawyer representing Rummler, believes the projectile was a capsule made of metal and plastic containing pepper spray. He said his client could have been killed.
“Any officers with just the most basic training would know you don’t shoot someone ever in the face with this, but let alone at point-blank range, and that’s because it is a lethal weapon when used like that, and it very nearly was,” Washington said.
Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, questioned the level of force used. “I don’t know of any projectile where you train to shoot at that close range,” Alpert said, adding that a thorough investigation is needed.
The incidents in California add to a growing number of violent encounters between federal agents and protesters during demonstrations against immigration policies. Federal officers have faced mounting criticism for aggressive crowd-control tactics, particularly following the shooting of Renee Good that sparked the initial protests.
Despite his injuries, Rummler faces a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. Another protester has been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer and was jailed for several days.
Rummler, who joined the protest because he “can’t stand seeing families torn from their homes,” remains committed to his activism despite the life-changing consequences.
“I refuse to sit around idly and watch that happen, and in 50 years, I would absolutely regret not trying to make a change,” he said.
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8 Comments
This is a deeply troubling incident that highlights the risks protesters face from overly aggressive law enforcement tactics. Losing vision in one eye is an incredibly high price for exercising the right to free speech and assembly. Authorities must be held to high standards of transparency and de-escalation.
Agreed, the use of potentially dangerous projectiles against protesters is extremely concerning. Transparency around the composition of these munitions is critical to understanding the risks and ensuring appropriate accountability.
It’s tragic that this protester suffered such a serious injury that may affect the rest of his life. Authorities need to be accountable for the use of force against civilians, even in the context of protests. The lack of information about the projectile composition is unacceptable and raises further questions.
Losing an eye is a life-altering injury for this young protester. Authorities must be more restrained in their response to demonstrations and avoid tactics that can cause such severe harm. The lack of information about the projectile is unacceptable and undermines public trust.
This is a disturbing pattern of violent incidents involving federal agents and protesters. Protesters have a right to demonstrate peacefully, and authorities must exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions instead of using potentially dangerous projectiles. Transparency around these types of incidents is critical.
You’re right, the repeated use of force against protesters is very concerning. Authorities need to find a better way to manage demonstrations without resorting to tactics that can cause severe, life-altering injuries like this.
Tragic to hear about this protester losing vision in one eye from a projectile during a demonstration. Concerning that authorities have not provided information about the composition of the projectile. This highlights the need for deescalation and accountability in how law enforcement responds to protests.
Agree, the lack of transparency around the projectile is very worrying. Authorities should be held accountable for injuries caused during protests, even if some protesters become violent. Peaceful demonstrators shouldn’t bear the brunt of excessive force.