A 25-year-old woman who was struck in the face by a less-lethal projectile during a downtown Los Angeles protest says she plans to file an excessive force lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department.
Jasmin Lamos was among demonstrators gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center on Jan. 30 to protest federal immigration enforcement actions during a planned two-day “ICE Out” rally.
Lamos said that around 6 p.m., she was sitting on a curb waiting for a ride when officers formed a skirmish line and began deploying tear gas and firing less-lethal rounds into the crowd.
“From where we were sitting, it wasn’t chaotic or anything, so we got a little closer to the Detention Center and we saw tear gas [being deployed], so we decided to move,” she told KTLA.
Authorities had issued dispersal orders during both nights of protests as the gatherings stretched into the evening.
As Lamos and others began leaving the area, she said she heard someone yell, “Get out of the way!” Moments later, she felt a heavy impact to her face. She said she did not initially realize how serious the injury was until she saw the reactions of people around her.
The projectile exploded upon impact with her cheekbone, embedding glass and metal fragments in her face and narrowly missing her eye. Bystanders helped her reach emergency medical personnel, and she was transported to a hospital.
Lamos said she has undergone multiple surgeries and continues to suffer from chronic migraines and post-traumatic stress. Doctors informed her that some metal fragments could not be safely removed due to the risk of further complications.
Her attorney, Paul Aghabala, believes she was struck by an FN303 less-lethal paint marker projectile. He said they intend to file both an excessive force claim and a federal civil rights lawsuit.
“We don’t want this to happen to other people,” Aghabala said. “We feel that the constitutional right of protesting peacefully is very important.”
Lamos and her attorney said they hope the case will lead to changes in how officers handle protests and large public gatherings.
KTLA has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for comment and is awaiting a response.