Three activists have filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging that an officer shot them at point-blank range with foam rounds without provocation during a summer protest. The legal action, filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims the use of excessive force and the violation of civil rights during a confrontation outside police headquarters.
The plaintiffs identify the officer involved as Rick Linton, who is accused of targeting community activist Jason Reedy and civil rights attorneys Ricci Sergienko and Shakeer Rahman on the night of June 9, 2025. The suit alleges that the officer used a 40mm less-lethal launcher to strike the men in sensitive areas of their bodies, including the groin and stomach, while they were recording his actions.
The incident was captured on various live streams broadcast by the plaintiffs and other bystanders. According to the filing, the three men were attending a demonstration winding through downtown Los Angeles when they observed Linton standing on an elevated platform outside an LAPD auditorium at 100 W. 1st St., pointing his launcher at the crowd.
The lawsuit describes a rapid escalation: after the trio crossed the street to record the officer, Linton allegedly fired a foam round at Reedy, who had his hands raised, striking him in the groin. A second round allegedly struck Sergienko in the stomach.
Allegations of Threats and Targeted Force
The legal complaint highlights a specific exchange between the officer and attorney Shakeer Rahman. When Rahman demanded the officer’s name and badge number, Linton allegedly warned him to leave, threatening to “pop you right now because you’re taking up my focus.”
The suit claims that as Rahman persisted, Linton paced the platform and told him it was “gonna hurt.” Moments later, video evidence allegedly shows the officer raising his weapon over a glass partition and firing two foam rounds at Rahman, nearly striking him in the groin.
The plaintiffs further allege that nearby supervisors failed to intervene to stop the use of force, contributing to a climate of impunity. The lawsuit seeks damages for the violation of civil rights, excessive force and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Jason Reedy, a known critic of the LAPD, characterized the event as a symptom of a broader pattern of misconduct. He described the 40mm weapons as launching projectiles the size of mini soda cans at speeds exceeding 200 mph.
“We’re hoping that he gets fired,” Reedy said regarding the officer. “We’ve seen that LAPD at this moment under Jim McDonnell is doing whatever they want and not really facing any kind of accountability.”
A History of Crowd-Control Controversy
The lawsuit arrives amid long-standing scrutiny of the LAPD’s crowd-control tactics. The department has faced intense criticism since the Trump administration’s immigration raids in Los Angeles, with video evidence from previous years showing officers trampling demonstrators on horseback and aiming launchers at heads in violation of internal policy.
The scale of force used during the period surrounding the June 9 incident was significant. A report posted to the department’s website indicates that officers fired nearly 1,400 less-lethal rounds over a six-day window starting June 9, alongside the deployment of tear gas.
| Tactic/Weapon | Reported Volume/Action | Department Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Less-Lethal Rounds | Nearly 1,400 fired | Response to rocks, bottles, fireworks |
| Tear Gas | Deployed | Response to Molotov cocktails and vehicle fires |
| Dispersal Orders | Issued multiple times | Attempt to clear crowds before force |
Police officials defended these actions in their report, stating that force was necessary after crowd members threw projectiles and burned vehicles. The department has maintained that it conducts thorough investigations into all uses of force.
Legal Battles Over ‘Less-Lethal’ Weapons
The use of these launchers has been a focal point of judicial intervention. In January, a federal judge issued an injunction barring the LAPD from using certain less-lethal weapons at protests, ruling that the department had repeatedly violated court orders that restricted such weapons to subduing individuals who pose a threat of violence. This ruling was largely upheld by an appeals court.
Despite the injunction, critics argue the department continues to target nonviolent protesters and members of the news media. During a recent Police Commission meeting, public commenters accused the department of ignoring the court’s mandate.
The Los Angeles city attorney’s office, which represents the LAPD in civil litigation, did not respond to requests for comment, citing a policy of not commenting on pending lawsuits. Officer Rick Linton also did not respond to inquiries sent to his department email.
Note: This article discusses legal allegations of police misconduct. The claims are currently being litigated in court and the accused parties have not been found liable.
The next phase of the legal process will involve the discovery period, where the plaintiffs will seek further internal LAPD records and communications regarding the June 9 incident. A hearing date for the case in Los Angeles County Superior Court has not yet been publicized.
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