Freelance photojournalist hit by police projectiles at LA protest

Freelance photojournalist Caylo Seals was struck numerous times with police crowd-control munitions while covering a “No Kings” protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025.

The protest in downtown LA was one of hundreds of “No Kings” demonstrations held nationwide to counter a military parade attended by President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also followed days of protests in the city and nearby towns against recent federal raids, part of the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown.

Seals, who was on assignment that day covering the protest for photo news agency Sipa USA, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he had a huge “press” patch on his backpack when he was struck by projectiles fired by the Los Angeles Police Department.

“I wasn’t as aggressive in getting pictures after that,” he said.

Seals was hit by a crowd-control projectile, which he described as a “rubber bullet,” and about four pepper ball rounds. He added that he was not sure if he was targeted as a member of the media. At one point, he was shot from both the front and back simultaneously.

“The police were reacting to a protester charging at them, and they fired pepper balls from in front of me,” he wrote in an email. “However, I think the officers behind me attempted to shoot through me at a couple of other photojournalists.”

The pepper balls, which hit him on the front side of both legs, felt like quick, sharp bursts of pain that left no bruises, Seals said. The other projectile, which struck the back of his left leg, was painful and left bruising that is still visible almost three months later.

“It didn’t really affect me on the day of getting hit, but I had a limp for a couple of days after,” Seals wrote.

When reached for comment, the LAPD directed the Tracker to the department’s social media accounts, where statements and comments would be posted. The account does not appear to have shared any comment concerning the use of crowd-control munitions on members of the media.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell had said in a news conference June 9 that he was “very concerned” about reports that members of the press were being hit by crowd-control munitions.

Update: This article was revised to include additional information from Caylo Seals about the assault.