LOS ANGELES (AP) – The city of Los Angeles has been ordered by a federal jury to pay $11.8 million to Isaac Castellanos, a 27-year-old man who was blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by police during the celebration of the Dodgers' 2020 World Series victory. The incident occurred in downtown Los Angeles on October 28, 2020, while Castellanos was peacefully participating in the festivities.
Castellanos, a college senior at California State University, Long Beach at the time, filed a federal lawsuit in 2022, claiming excessive use of force by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He was struck in the face by a projectile, identified as a "less lethal" munition, when the police advanced towards the crowd and began firing without warning. Less lethal munitions can include rubber bullets and bean bags, designed to disperse crowds while minimizing severe injury.
During the trial, which concluded with the jury's quick deliberation of less than two hours, Castellanos expressed immense relief and was visibly emotional upon hearing the verdict. His attorney, Monique Alarcon, noted that Castellanos feels vindicated and is hopeful the ruling will prompt the LAPD to reassess their crowd control strategies.
Prior to the incident, Castellanos had a promising future as a professional esports player, having recently won a tournament with a prize of $40,000. Alarcon highlighted that his life was derailed by the injury, which has drastically altered his career trajectory. Castellanos' experience reflects a broader concern regarding the LAPD's practices, as they have faced several lawsuits related to the deployment of less lethal munitions.
The LAPD's use of such weapons came under scrutiny after several journalists were injured by projectiles during protests in June against the Trump administration's immigration policies. Consequently, a federal judge has issued orders restricting the LAPD from using rubber bullets and similar munitions against members of the press. Furthermore, in January, a federal judge expanded on these restrictions by blocking the use of 40 mm launchers in crowd control situations altogether.
The State of California has taken legislative action to limit the use of less lethal munitions, mandating that police must explore alternatives to physical force before resorting to such measures in managing crowds. Under the new regulations, officers are prohibited from aiming indiscriminately into groups or targeting sensitive areas such as the head and neck. The new laws prohibit the use of these munitions solely for curfew violations, verbal threats towards officers, or noncompliance with police instructions.
Castellanos’ case illustrates not only the personal tragedy of his injury but also the ongoing challenges of police conduct regarding crowd control and the use of force. As the city grapples with these legal and ethical implications, it remains to be seen whether such rulings will instigate meaningful changes within the LAPD's operational protocols.
