On June 14, 2025, a peaceful protest in Downtown Los Angeles turned violent, not because of the protesters, but because of the actions of law enforcement who escalated the situation by using unnecessary weapons against the crowd. Sergio Espejo, a United States citizen, Los Angeles resident and data engineer, was participating in the protest by chanting “peaceful protest,” indicating that the group was not there to wreak havoc, and waving an American flag when, all of a sudden, a flashbang device exploded upon impact on his hand. The explosion caused a permanent injury, resulting in the amputation of one of his fingertips.
Now, with the help of Greg Kirakosian, Espejo is taking legal action. He is pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit, which has been filed against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), alleging excessive force among other constitutional violations. This case highlights what civil rights attorneys and advocates say is a recurring issue in Los Angeles: the militarized response to peaceful protests.
A Peaceful Protester Permanently Injured (Full Sergio Espejo Video Below VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!)
You’ll see from the available videos that the protest where Sergio Espejo was injured was entirely peaceful. Footage from multiple outlets, including a TikTok Live that Sergio was conducting, and eyewitness videos show the crowd chanting “peaceful protest” in unison. There were no signs of provocation, no reports of threats to officers, and no reason for the escalation that followed.
Without warning, deputies from LASD deployed explosive crowd-control devices at the group of people standing up for their beliefs. One of those devices, a flashbang, struck Espejo directly. The blast blew up his index finger, which led to the immediate need for an amputation.
Other protestors rushed to help Sergio by transporting him to Los Angeles General Hospital, where he underwent surgery that same day in the evening.
Espejo was never arrested. He was never even charged. And since the incident, he has not been contacted by law enforcement. His only interaction with the system has been his role as a victim of state violence.
Excessive Force in Los Angeles Protest Response
What happened to Sergio Espejo is not just a tragedy. It is unconstitutional. The use of tear gas, flashbangs, and other militarized tactics against peaceful protesters violates both their First Amendment protections of free speech and assembly, and their Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable force and seizure. As the ACLU mentioned, “using pepper spray on peaceful protesters is unconstitutional”.
“This type of conduct is exactly what federal civil rights law was designed to address,” said Greg Kirakosian, lead attorney on the case. “Our client was peacefully exercising his constitutional rights. The decision to launch a flashbang at his hand without cause was not only unconstitutional. It was reckless, dangerous, and sadly, all too familiar.”
Kirakosian Law’s lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages for Espejo’s physical, emotional, and financial suffering. As a data engineer, Sergio relies on his hands to work, given the nature of his work-from-home job. The injury he sustained is not only life-altering. It is career-altering too.
Holding Law Enforcement Accountable
Kirakosian Law has extensive experience in confronting law enforcement misconduct in Los Angeles. Greg Kirakosian has successfully represented victims of excessive force, wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution, and police shootings, obtaining millions of dollars in compensations for them. Greg Kirakosian and his team have taken on both the LAPD and LASD in high-profile cases that helped expose deep-rooted issues within these departments.
“We’ve seen this playbook before,” said Mr. Kirakosian. “Law enforcement in Los Angeles continues to escalate peaceful situations with military-style tactics. These are not crowd control strategies. They are intimidation tactics. This lawsuit is not just about one man’s injury. It is about protecting the rights of every Angeleno who wants to protest peacefully without fear of being maimed.”
A Call for Accountability
This case is a clear example of the dangers of power that goes unchecked. The right to peacefully protest is a right in the United States that is protected by the Constitution and validated by decades of civil rights law. When law enforcement agencies treat peaceful gatherings as combat zones, they violate those rights and, worse, endanger lives.
Sergio Espejo’s tragic case is now part of a growing body of legal proceedings aimed at ending the use of excessive force during peaceful protests. The outcome of this lawsuit could help set new precedents for how law enforcement is held accountable for protest-related injuries.
If You’ve Been a Victim of Police Misconduct, You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you know has been injured or targeted by police during a protest, or during any interaction involving excessive force, legal help is available to you. At Kirakosian Law, we are committed to fighting for justice and protecting your rights.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options.