Peaceful Participant Caught in Crossfire (Image Credits: Sbsun.com)
Santa Ana, Orange County — A 41-year-old accountant sustained lasting brain damage from a deputy’s less-than-lethal projectile during a heated anti-ICE demonstration, fueling a civil rights suit against two law enforcement agencies.
Peaceful Participant Caught in Crossfire
Hundreds rallied at the Broadway and Fourth Street intersection on June 9, 2025, to protest aggressive immigration raids by the Trump administration across Southern California.[1][2]
Tony Lawrence Olson joined family members there, dressed in professional attire and holding an American flag. Around 10 p.m., he stood about 15 to 20 feet from officers when a single protester hurled a firework toward the line of deputies and police. Law enforcement responded by launching projectiles into the crowd rather than isolating the individual. Olson turned to walk away eastward on Fourth Street. Moments later, a 40mm round from an Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy’s 12-gauge launcher struck the upper right side of his head.[3]
Immediate Trauma and Medical Ordeal
The impact caused profuse bleeding, ringing in Olson’s ears, slurred speech, double vision, and near unconsciousness. A relative pressed the American flag against the wound to stem the flow and rushed him to Kaiser Permanente in Irvine. Doctors diagnosed a skull fracture and traumatic brain injury, requiring transfer to another facility for emergency surgery and 10 staples.[2]
Olson later developed dizziness, memory lapses, and post-traumatic stress disorder. A Santa Ana police officer visited him in the hospital, apologized on behalf of law enforcement, and took his statement. Recovery proved slow, with ongoing symptoms months afterward. He works as a controller at a real estate firm and is a father of three.
Lawsuit Targets Excessive Force Practices
Olson filed the suit in Orange County Superior Court this week against the Santa Ana Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department. It alleges violations of constitutional rights through misuse of less-than-lethal munitions on non-threatening bystanders. A preceding government claim had sought $50 million from the county.[1]
Attorney V. James DeSimone called it a growing trend. “Officers use the excuse of one person throwing things to take it out on the entire crowd,” he stated. “These weapons are completely being misused by being shot into a crowd.”[3] The case marks the first in Orange County targeting local agencies over immigration protests, per court records. Defendants declined comment due to pending litigation.
Context of Clashes and Force Deployment
The gathering escalated after authorities declared it an unlawful assembly. Protesters threw water bottles, rocks, bottles, and fireworks, prompting 24 arrests over several days. Sheriff’s reports detailed one bean bag round, four 40mm launches, and 23 pepper balls in response.[1]
Similar incidents marked other rallies, including a federal protest where a participant lost vision in one eye. DeSimone highlighted perceived double standards. “We as Californians also have to look inward at our own police departments and demand better,” he said.[3]
Key Takeaways
- Less-than-lethal 40mm projectile caused skull fracture and brain injury to a retreating protester.
- Lawsuit claims crowd-wide firing violated rights after isolated firework incident.
- First OC case against local forces tied to immigration demonstrations.
This lawsuit underscores tensions between protest rights and crowd control amid national immigration debates. Outcomes could influence training and policies on non-lethal weapons. What do you think about the balance between public safety and free assembly? Tell us in the comments.
