A 21-year-old protester faces permanent vision loss after a violent encounter with federal agents in Santa Ana, California.
Kaden Rummler was participating in an anti-ICE demonstration on January 9 when the incident occurred.
The protest followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good and was organized by the activist group “Dare to Struggle.”
Footage from the scene shows a federal officer firing non-lethal ammunition at Rummler from a short distance.
The projectile struck Rummler’s left eye as he attempted to reach a friend who was being detained.
Rummler described the impact as a sensation of intense pressure followed by ringing in his ears.
Video evidence shows agents dragging the bleeding 21-year-old across a plaza while he pleaded for medical help.
Rummler claims that instead of providing immediate aid, officers mocked his injury before an ambulance arrived.
Doctors later removed plastic and metal shards from Rummler’s eye and skull during a six-hour surgery.
Medical professionals informed Rummler that he will be blind in that eye for the rest of his life.
Surgeons also discovered shrapnel just millimeters away from his carotid artery, a potentially fatal injury.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement labeling the group a “mob” that threw rocks and fireworks.
However, the Santa Ana Police Department reported only seeing orange cones thrown toward the agents.
Rummler’s father, a conservative Republican, denied claims that his son was rioting or assaulting law enforcement.
A Kaden Rummler GoFundMe has been established to cover the mounting medical costs for his surgeries.
The fundraiser has already garnered significant support, raising over $82,000 toward its goal.
Rummler remains in recovery as his family seeks accountability for the 21-year-old blinded during the event.
