LOS ANGELES — A man’s jaw was shattered when an LAPD officer shot him in the face with a foam projectile during a downtown demonstration, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court that requests damages for his injuries.

Plaintiff Atlachinolli Tezcacoatl was one of hundreds of people attending the early summer 2025 rally to protest the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. His Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit contends that his jaw was shattered and that he suffered extensive facial fractures and trauma that required two surgeries.

Tezcacoatl also developed glaucoma in his left eye and suffered chest and nasal injuries, the lawsuit states.

“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.”

LAPD officers are expected to comply with policies that explicitly prohibit them from shooting at people’s heads, according to DeSimone, who added, “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.

Tezcacoatl’s suit states that he 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.

Tezcacoatl reached Temple and Alameda streets, where LAPD officers were standing in a skirmish line. 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, the suit states.

But 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, according to the suit, which 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, the suit states. He was shot twice with 40mm projectiles, striking his ribs and then his face. The facial impact allegedly shattered his jaw.

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, and remained hospitalized through June 15, according to the suit.

He continues to suffer permanent injuries, including constant daily mouth pain, and also 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.