(LibertySociety.com) – A Los Angeles County jury just awarded over $2 million to a protester who was shot in the face during a 2020 demonstration, but the deputy who pulled the trigger remains unidentified and faces zero consequences.
Story Snapshot
- Filmmaker Cellin Gluck awarded $2.27 million after being shot in face with less-lethal projectile during 2020 George Floyd protest
- Deputy who fired the shot was never identified, escaping individual accountability
- Jury assigned 35% fault to protesters, reducing total award from $3.5 million
- Los Angeles County considering appeal despite clear liability finding
When Accountability Has No Face
Cellin Gluck faced away from deputies, unarmed and non-threatening, when a projectile struck him in the face during a peaceful protest in LA’s Fairfax District on May 30, 2020. The impact caused severe injuries that required multiple surgeries. His teenage daughter watched the entire incident unfold, suffering her own emotional trauma that the jury recognized with nearly $200,000 in damages.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deployed less-lethal munitions against protesters demonstrating after George Floyd’s death. Despite clear evidence of excessive force, the deputy responsible vanished into bureaucratic anonymity. This case exposes a troubling reality: taxpayers foot the bill while the individuals who cross the line face no personal consequences.
The Price of Unnamed Justice
The jury’s verdict sends mixed signals about accountability. While finding Los Angeles County liable for excessive force, they simultaneously assigned 35% fault to the protesters themselves. This reduction slashed the original $3.5 million award, suggesting that exercising First Amendment rights somehow makes citizens partially responsible for police violence against them.
Los Angeles County’s lawyers announced they’re exploring appeals, signaling their intention to further delay justice. Meanwhile, the unnamed deputy continues working, protected by a system that prioritizes institutional defense over individual responsibility. This pattern repeats across law enforcement agencies nationwide, where officers hide behind badges while taxpayers absorb the financial consequences of their actions.
A Costly Pattern of Evasion
Gluck’s case joins a growing list of expensive settlements stemming from 2020 protest policing. Journalist Josie Huang received $700,000 after unlawful arrest and violence by the same sheriff’s department. Multiple other lawsuits continue working through courts, each representing taxpayer dollars spent on police misconduct rather than public safety.
https://t.co/6snTQBFh12. This is insanity. You go to a protest/riot and you get paid. Only in @GavinNewsom California
— Mike Ponti (@PontiMike) August 28, 2025
The financial impact extends beyond individual settlements. Los Angeles County faces mounting legal costs, increased insurance premiums, and administrative expenses from defending indefensible actions. These costs divert resources from essential services while failing to address the root problem: officers who abuse their authority without facing personal accountability.
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