California protester blinded after federal agent fires less-lethal round at Santa Ana demonstration
A 21-year-old protester in Santa Ana says a DHS officer shot a less-lethal round into his face Jan. 9, leaving him blind in one eye.
Overview
Kaden Rummler, 21, says a DHS officer fired a nonlethal projectile at point-blank range during a Jan. 9 Santa Ana protest, causing permanent blindness in his left eye.
Doctors performed a six-hour surgery and found metal, plastic and glass fragments lodged near his carotid artery; a 7mm shrapnel remains because removal was deemed too risky.
The Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed the projectile type and characterized protesters as violent; civil-rights lawyers and witnesses dispute that account and seek answers.
Rummler has been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct; video shows agents using crowd-control munitions and dragging the injured protester, while other demonstrators faced arrests or charges.
The incident adds to concerns about federal agents' use of force at immigration protests, raising questions about training, use-of-force policy for less-lethal munitions, and oversight.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story around alleged excessive force by federal agents, using emotive language ("blinded," "agonizing pain") and privileging protester testimony and legal experts while presenting DHS statements briefly and late. Editorial choices—selection of vivid quotes, descriptive video detail, and omission of full agency justification—stress harm and call for investigation.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The protest was against the shooting death of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis.
Rummler was struck in the left eye by a less-lethal round, resulting in permanent blindness, with plastic, metal, and glass fragments removed during six-hour surgery; some shrapnel remains near his carotid artery.
DHS described the protesters as violent in a coordinated campaign, stated two officers were injured, has not specified the projectile type, and called Rummler's injury claims absurd.
Rummler was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Video shows a federal agent grabbing another protester, Rummler rushing forward with a megaphone, being shot in the face from close range, falling, and being dragged away bloodied by an officer.
History
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