A man who was hospitalized in Pasadena after an LAPD officer allegedly shot him in the face with a foam projectile during a downtown demonstration has filed a civil rights lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking damages for his injuries, according to the complaint.
Plaintiff Atlachinolli Tezcacoatl was among hundreds attending an early summer 2025 rally protesting the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the suit states. His complaint alleges that his jaw was shattered and that he suffered extensive facial fractures and trauma requiring two surgeries at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where he remained hospitalized through June 15.
Tezcacoatl also developed glaucoma in his left eye and suffered chest and nasal injuries, according to the lawsuit.
“This targeting of Mr. Tezcacoatl was entirely unwarranted and unjustified,” plaintiff’s attorney V. James DeSimone said. “He never threatened or caused harm to any officer at any point, nor did he cause any type of destruction.” DeSimone said LAPD officers are expected to comply with policies that prohibit shooting at people’s heads, adding, “These devices can still cause catastrophic injuries and when shot at the head is considered the use of deadly force.”
A representative for the City Attorney’s Office did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the suit brought Friday.
According to the complaint, Tezcacoatl arrived near Aliso and Spring streets around 3 p.m. on June 8, 2025, and walked through downtown, primarily eastbound along Temple Street, while engaging with other demonstrators. When he reached Temple and Alameda streets, he spoke calmly for about a half hour with officers about constitutional rights, the duties of law enforcement and the moral implications of their actions.
Shortly after 5 p.m., LAPD officers began escalating their presence without issuing commands or warnings, aggressively advancing on the crowd and violently pushing protesters westbound toward Los Angeles Street and Temple Street, the lawsuit states. As officers moved forward, they fired foam projectiles into the crowd, allegedly aiming at individual protesters who posed no threat and were retreating. The suit further contends that mounted officers trampled people and struck them with long clubs.
Tezcacoatl believes he was targeted even though he was backing away with his hands raised and filming on his cellphone, according to the complaint. He was shot twice with 40mm projectiles, striking his ribs and then his face. The facial impact allegedly shattered his jaw.
The lawsuit states that Tezcacoatl received no medical care until a medic present provided it and two fellow demonstrators took him to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where he underwent two surgeries, including to repair facial lacerations.
He continues to suffer permanent injuries, including constant daily mouth pain, and deals with ongoing emotional distress, according to the suit, which further states that he has been unable to return to his caregiver job and faces mounting medical costs.
Tezcacoatl’s suit alleges civil rights violations, assault and battery, negligence and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. He seeks unspecified damages.
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