Kaden Rummler, a 21-year-old activist, experienced a traumatic episode while protesting against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Santa Ana, California. In response, a Homeland Security agent shot him in the face with a less-lethal munition. On a day dedicated to celebrating the life of Rene Good, a memorial march and vigil were held. Approximately 150 people came out to honor his memory. Rummler’s injury has raised serious concerns regarding the federal authorities’ use-of-force policies.
The oncoming threat was reportedly addressed by the Secret Service agent at very close range, as the agent fired upon Rummler from just a few feet away. Body camera video showed Rummler approach the officers while holding a bullhorn, moments before they arrested her while they were arresting another protester. The video makes it clear that no projectiles were flown at the officers. This was the context before the shooting went down.
Following the unprovoked attack, Rummler was carried dozens of feet across the pavement and into a federal building. The shrapnel made him blind, an effect of impact rather than a direct hit to the eye. Rummler expressed his shock and distress about his condition in an interview with KTLA, stating, “They said it was a miracle I survived.” He painted a picture of how difficult it is to live each day. Even something as benign as sneezing or coughing today is a threat for him.
Like Rummler, another protester, Britain Rodriguez, was blinded by a less-lethal round shot during the protest. Rodriguez, 31, described the painful experience in detail, explaining how it felt as though “my eye blew up inside my head.” Civil rights advocates are monitoring the two incidents with great interest. They are calling out the federal government’s plan to use heavy-handed military-style tactics for crowd control.
Crime and justice professor Edward Maguire said decades of research are clear: “We see this really ominous pattern.” When law enforcement escalates the situation by responding to crowds and protests with aggression, it creates more tension and conflict, putting both officers and civilians at greater risk for harm. This concern is very much in line with the larger call for accountability on the use of force by law enforcement specifically during protests.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just made its first-ever use-of-force policy public, prohibiting the use of impact weapons to retaliate against or punish individuals. The stated policy is that these weapons should not be used against an individual’s head or neck. Critics say that in practice these guidelines have not been widely applied, or properly enforced.
“Vicente Sarmiento, the local elected official, expressed his horror at the attack and demanded justice. “I feel just outraged that some of our federal delegation and others are considering continuing to fund these federal agencies that have now gone rogue and are no longer protecting us, but are putting people in critical harm – killing people and maiming people,” Sarmiento said.