Anti-ICE Protester Who Lunged At Agent Left Blinded By Pepper Ball

A violent confrontation outside a federal immigration facility in Southern California has renewed debate over protest tactics and law enforcement response, after a 21-year-old demonstrator suffered a catastrophic eye injury during a clash with federal officers.

Kaden Rummler, a college student, was left permanently blind in his left eye after a Department of Homeland Security officer fired a so-called “less-lethal” crowd-control projectile at close range during a Jan. 9 protest in Santa Ana. The demonstration targeted federal immigration authorities following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.

Rummler has since confirmed the extent of his injuries, saying there is no chance his vision will return.

“Not even light and I never will,” he said when asked whether his eyesight might recover. “My doctor said it’s a miracle I’m still alive.”

Video from the scene shows a DHS officer discharging a munition toward Rummler as tensions escalated outside the federal building. Rummler collapsed to the ground bleeding and was later dragged inside the facility by officers, according to footage and accounts from protesters and family members.

Warning: Graphic images

His aunt, Jeri Rees, said Rummler endured approximately six hours of emergency surgery. Doctors reportedly removed shards of plastic, glass, and metal from his eye socket and skull, while a metal fragment lodged dangerously close to his carotid artery was left in place due to the risk of fatal complications. Surgeons also treated multiple skull fractures, she said.

Family members confirmed that Rummler permanently lost vision in his left eye and will require extensive, long-term medical care, a claim also reported by CBS News and confirmed by Rummler himself.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to identify the specific munition used in the incident. In a statement, DHS characterized the protest as “violent,” noting that officers were injured during the confrontation, but did not directly address the severity of Rummler’s injuries.

Officials and demonstrators have offered sharply different accounts of what occurred before force was used. DHS has said protesters threw objects at officers, while bystander video reviewed by media outlets does not clearly show such actions.

Rummler was cited for disorderly conduct, and another individual was charged with assaulting a federal officer.

Another protester, 31-year-old Britain Rodriguez, told The Los Angeles Times that he was also struck in the face by a less-lethal round during the same incident, suffering a serious eye injury. Rodriguez said he received no warning before being hit.

Supporters of Rummler have claimed the protest was largely peaceful until federal agents moved in. Video of the encounter appears to show Rummler lunging toward an officer moments before he was struck by the projectile.

Despite the life-altering injury, Rummler has said he plans to continue participating in protests. Civil rights organizations are now demanding a formal investigation into the use of force.

The Santa Ana demonstration was one of many protests nationwide following the Minneapolis shooting of Renee Good, an incident that federal officials say involved a direct threat to an ICE officer. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has described the event as domestic terrorism, stating that Good attempted to drive her vehicle into an officer.

Federal authorities have repeatedly warned the public not to interfere with ICE operations or law enforcement personnel performing their duties.

Noem reiterated her support for federal officers as protests targeting immigration enforcement continue.

“I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am every single day for the men and women who put on the badge and put their lives on the line to protect the American people,” Noem said on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

“With more than 80,000 officers and agents, our Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the federal government,” she added.

Under President Donald J. Trump’s second term, the administration has made clear it will continue prioritizing officer safety and enforcing immigration law amid growing unrest and increasingly confrontational protests.