A federal jury has ordered the city of Los Angeles to pay $11.8 million in damages to Isaac Castellanos, a man who was permanently blinded in one eye after being struck by a police projectile during the Dodgers' 2020 World Series victory celebration. The incident occurred early on October 28, 2020, when police used less lethal munitions such as rubber bullets and bean bags without warning, targeting a crowd of celebrating fans in downtown LA. Castellanos, then a college student and aspiring esports player, has described how the injury derailed his promising future, including a recent $40,000 tournament win.

The lawsuit filed in 2022 accused the LAPD of excessive force, with the jury swiftly concluding the case in less than two hours. Castellanos expressed relief and hope that this verdict will prompt the LAPD to re-evaluate their crowd control practices. The case highlights ongoing concerns and multiple lawsuits over the use of less lethal munitions by the LAPD, especially after previous incidents involving reporters and restrictions enacted by courts and legislation to limit indiscriminate firing and protect vital organs. The city’s payout reflects a broader scrutiny of police crowd management policies and their impact on civilians.