21-Year-Old Kaden Rummler Permanently Blinded in One Eye by Federal Agent Who Shot Him with Less-Lethal Projectile at Close Range

A protest outside a federal immigration building in Santa Ana, California, escalated into a violent confrontation when a 21-year-old demonstrator, Kaden Rummler, was struck in the face by a projectile fired by a federal officer. The incident, captured on video and recounted by fellow protesters and Rummler’s family, left him permanently blinded in his left eye and with severe skull injuries.

The protest, which took place on Friday, was part of a wave of demonstrations across the United States following the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis by a federal agent. Rummler’s case has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of his injuries and the questions it raises about federal law enforcement tactics during public protests.

The Santa Ana Protest and Confrontation

Hundreds of people gathered in Santa Ana in response to Renee Good’s death, marching through the streets before a smaller group remained outside the federal immigration building by evening. The demonstrators chanted through megaphones, expressing outrage against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and at one point burned what appeared to be an American flag while shouting “Justice for Renee Good.”

Video footage shows the protest escalating when a few dozen demonstrators entered the plaza in front of the building, where several federal officers stood in riot gear with crowd-control equipment. Tensions rose as officers attempted to push the crowd back. Video shows officers moving a demonstrator, identified in a federal complaint as Katelyn Skye Seitz, onto the building’s steps.

Rummler and a few other protesters stepped forward, shouting at the officers. It was then that one officer fired a crowd-control projectile at Rummler from several feet away, striking him in the face. The impact caused him to fall backward, bleeding heavily. Fellow demonstrators shouted for officers to leave him alone as he was dragged across the ground by an officer and later taken inside the federal building. Additional footage shows Rummler being handcuffed while face down on the ground.

THE DAILY FAFO: Kaden Rummler, (21) earned his eye patch yesterday while attempting to stop an arrest, charging a federal agent outside an immigration building in Santa Ana, California.

Rummler underwent surgery but Doctors could not find any damage to the brain …in fact,… pic.twitter.com/WWQD8fuuaF

— ZAP (@Uncle_Tinfoil) January 15, 2026

The precise sequence of events before the shooting remains partially unclear. Video shows an orange traffic cone rolling into the plaza around the time officers began firing projectiles, though it is not confirmed who, if anyone, threw the object. Federal authorities described the group as violent rioters, claiming two officers sustained injuries during the protest. Two protesters, including Seitz, were arrested and charged with assaulting a federal officer and disorderly conduct.

Injuries and Hospitalization

Kaden Rummler sustained catastrophic injuries from the projectile. According to his aunt, Jeri Rees, he was struck in the left eye and suffered skull fractures. He was hospitalized for two days and underwent a six-hour surgical procedure to address the damage to his eye. Medical evaluations revealed that fragments from the projectile had penetrated his eye, leaving a hole in the eyeball and permanently blinding him in that eye. Doctors are still determining the composition of the fragments to assess whether further procedures are necessary.

Rees emphasized the long-term impact of the injury, stating that Rummler will never regain vision in his left eye. She described the physical and emotional toll of the incident, noting that her nephew experienced intense pain and pressure around his skull and had difficulty breathing during the altercation.

Read : Who Is Nisha Verma, the Indian-Origin Gynaecologist Who Went Viral for Dodging the Question ‘Can Men Get Pregnant?’

Despite the severity of his injuries, Rummler expressed gratitude for surviving the attack, stating in a read statement that he is “just glad I’m alive to tell my story.” The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not publicly confirmed the type of projectile used, though another protester suggested that pepper balls were fired.

Rummler was also issued a citation for disorderly conduct, highlighting the contrast between the legal repercussions faced by the protester and the extent of his injuries. His case underscores the ongoing debate over the proportionality of force used by federal agents in crowd-control situations and the potential consequences of less-lethal weapons when fired at close range.

Federal Response and Legal Proceedings

The federal response to the Santa Ana protest has drawn criticism and raised questions about law enforcement practices during demonstrations. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, referred to the demonstrators as violent rioters and stated that two officers were injured. She did not provide details about the nature of the officers’ injuries or comment on Rummler’s condition.

Seitz, one of the arrested protesters, defended the group’s actions, stating that they were protesting the “brutal execution of Renee Good” and the role of federal agencies in perpetuating ICE-related brutality. A federal complaint alleges that Seitz failed to leave the property after repeated warnings, threw an orange cone at officers, and resisted arrest, striking an officer in the shoulder and groin. The complaint also references charges against another individual, though details remain limited, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has not provided further clarification.

Video footage of the protest shows that confrontations continued after Rummler was injured, with officers firing additional rounds at demonstrators. Some protesters were seen covered in a white powder, possibly from crowd-control munitions, and displaying visible facial injuries. The continued use of these tactics raises questions about the threshold for deploying less-lethal projectiles and whether federal officers are adequately trained to avoid causing serious injury

The incident in Santa Ana is part of a broader national conversation about federal involvement in local protests, the use of force by law enforcement, and accountability mechanisms for officers involved in crowd-control operations. Advocacy groups and legal experts have called for greater transparency regarding the deployment of less-lethal weapons, including data on injuries sustained and the circumstances under which such munitions are used. Rummler’s permanent blindness has become a focal point for activists highlighting the potential dangers of close-range projectile use, and the case may prompt renewed scrutiny of federal protest policing policies.

As Rummler recovers from his injuries, questions remain about the federal response to demonstrations, the legality of the force used, and the broader implications for civil liberties and the right to protest. His case exemplifies the human cost of confrontations between law enforcement and civilians and serves as a stark reminder of the risks protesters face when engaging in public demonstrations, particularly when federal agents are involved.

Kaden Rummler’s story is now part of a growing number of incidents where protesters have been seriously injured during encounters with law enforcement. The Santa Ana protest underscores the continuing tension between public demonstrations advocating for justice and the strategies employed by authorities to manage civil unrest. The aftermath of the incident highlights the urgent need for careful review of crowd-control practices, transparency in reporting injuries, and a balanced approach that prioritizes public safety without compromising individuals’ rights to peaceful protest.

Rummler’s permanent blindness, coupled with the ongoing investigation into the incident, continues to draw attention from local and national media. Legal experts and civil rights organizations are closely monitoring the situation, calling for accountability and clear guidelines to prevent similar injuries in the future. As details emerge about the incident, the case may contribute to broader discussions on law enforcement reforms, appropriate use-of-force policies, and the protection of demonstrators’ rights during protests.

The incident also raises questions about the adequacy of federal oversight in situations where crowd-control measures lead to serious injuries. The apparent disparity between the minor legal citation issued to Rummler and the life-altering consequences of his injuries has prompted public debate about proportionality, accountability, and justice. Advocates argue that without greater transparency and accountability, the risk of serious injuries or fatalities during protests will remain high.

Rummler’s experience at the Santa Ana protest is a stark illustration of the dangers protesters can face even when participating in demonstrations that begin peacefully. The incident has sparked outrage among advocates, legal observers, and local residents, highlighting the tension between government authority and citizen rights. As authorities continue to investigate the events of that day, Rummler’s case will likely serve as a reference point in ongoing discussions about the appropriate use of less-lethal force and the protection of individuals’ constitutional rights during demonstrations.

The confrontation and its aftermath underscore the need for clear protocols governing law enforcement’s interaction with demonstrators. As investigations continue, Rummler’s permanent blindness remains a tangible reminder of the physical and emotional consequences of excessive or poorly targeted force, emphasizing the importance of accountability and reform in federal policing practices.