Los Angeles, California — A jury recently awarded $2.2 million to a man injured during a 2020 protest against police brutality. Cellin Gluck, who was shot in the face with a less-lethal munition by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, had claimed he and his daughter experienced excessive force while participating in a peaceful demonstration.
In its verdict, the jury found LA County liable for Gluck’s injuries and initially determined he was entitled to $3.5 million in damages. Additionally, his daughter received $300,000 for emotional distress inflicted during the incident. However, county attorneys stated that the jury’s finding of shared fault from Gluck and other protesters would lead to a reduction in the awards by 35%, bringing the final amounts to approximately $2.27 million for Gluck and $195,000 for his daughter.
In responding to the verdict, county lawyers indicated they were considering options, including the potential for an appeal. Gluck is a filmmaker known for works such as Oba: The Last Samurai and Persona Non Grata. He alleged in his lawsuit that both he and his daughter were unnecessarily subjected to violence during the demonstration that followed the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020.
According to the complaint, the incident escalated when Gluck and his daughter encountered another protester who was reportedly injured. As they approached to assist, Gluck was struck in the face by a non-lethal projectile despite holding only a camera. The impact caused him to fall backward, resulting in serious injuries.
The projectile reportedly lodged in Gluck’s nasal cavity, requiring surgical removal almost a year later. His attorney, Carl Douglas, noted that Gluck now deals with permanent disfigurement and traumatic brain injury due to the incident. He described the jury’s decision as a form of justice but highlighted that the amount awarded fell short of what was initially sought.
Douglas emphasized the importance of proper training for law enforcement, specifically regarding the targeting of individuals with non-lethal weapons. He expressed concern over the inability to identify the deputy who fired the shot, describing this as a serious issue for accountability within the sheriff’s department.
In light of the case, the LA County sheriff’s department acknowledged the need for ongoing evaluation of past events, aiming to improve community service. This incident has reignited discussions about the use of less-lethal munitions by police during crowd control, particularly in the wake of recent protests against federal immigration policies.
The deployment of such munitions has sparked scrutiny, especially after media personnel faced similar treatment during demonstrations. Legal actions against law enforcement have increased, reflecting concerns over the implications of police conduct at protests. In California, filing a claim is a prerequisite for pursuing a civil rights lawsuit against public entities regarding alleged misconduct by officers.
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