BLM protester hit by police projectiles during 2020 riots awarded $3.75 million

A California jury awarded $3.75 million in damages to a man who was allegedly hit twice by hard-foam police projectiles during one of the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020.

In 2020, Asim Jamal Shakir Jr. was filming himself approaching black Los Angeles Police Department officers and encouraging them to join the protest. While recording a skirmish line at the downtown L.A. protest, Shakir recognized one of the officers as his uncle, Eric Anderson.

In the livestream video, Shakir is heard yelling his uncle's name and shouting, "Our ancestors are turning over in their grave right now!"

"Look at me in my eyes, Eric! … You know how your daddy feeling right now? That could have been you!" he continued, referring to the death of George Floyd.

Shakir's lawsuit alleged that Anderson then directed the other officers to fire a hard-foam projectile at him. Video of the incident showed Shakir's bloody right hand. He was allegedly hit a second time while bending down to pick up his phone, which was knocked out of his hand following the first shot.

According to his attorney, Carl Douglas, Shakir had to go to physical therapy for a year due to the hand injury. The lawsuit alleged that Shakir still suffers from pain and can no longer enjoy boxing or filming music videos.

An internal investigation found that the less-lethal force used against Shakir was never reported. All 11 officers present "denied knowing or seeing or shooting anyone who was filming, or shooting anyone twice," the Los Angeles Times reported.

"Regrettably there is still a code of silence that flourishes among most law enforcement agencies including the LAPD, and I say it's the greatest impediment to justice because police officers are afraid to expose misconduct that they or their fellow officers commit," Douglas stated.

On Wednesday, after deliberating 13 hours, jurors ruled that the LAPD was negligent for firing less-lethal projectiles at Shakir. The award still needs to be approved by the city council.

Douglas hopes the sizable damages will deter further police violence.

"As with anything, brother, money talks," Douglas said. "Hopefully, the city will realize that the compensation is fair and will decide to pay the verdict because this young man is deserving."

Douglas stated that the damages are the most significant so far related to the LAPD's response to the BLM protests. The city is still facing a class action lawsuit by Black Lives Matter of Los Angeles and other organizations regarding the department's response.

The LAPD did not respond to a request for comment from the Los Angeles Times or Fox News Digital. The Los Angeles city attorney's office declined to comment, the Times reported.

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