Los Angeles Times

One man's eye 'exploded,' another lost eight teeth from LAPD projectiles fired at Lakers revelers

LOS ANGELES - When the hard-foam police projectile struck 22-year-old William Gonzalez in the right eye as he celebrated the Lakers' NBA title in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night, it shattered his eye socket, ripped apart his tear duct and "exploded" the eyeball itself, doctors said.

The Kobe Bryant jersey that his brother Michael used to stanch the bleeding was immediately soaked as Michael dragged Gonzalez through the streets, trying to find a way out of the chaos.

"My brother ... grabbed me and said 'Run!' because they were still shooting," Gonzalez said Tuesday, one day after extensive reconstructive surgery.

Others also were badly injured in the area around Staples Center, where the LAPD declared an unlawful gathering as storefronts were being damaged and officers targeted with thrown bottles and other items. One man lost eight teeth when a projectile

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times4 min read
Sam Rubin, KTLA Journalist And Longtime Entertainment Anchor, Dies At 64
LOS ANGELES — Sam Rubin, a veteran journalist who anchored KTLA’s entertainment coverage for more than 30 years, died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 64. Anchor Frank Buckley confirmed the reporter’s death during an emotional announcement on Friday aft
Los Angeles Times4 min read
Review: Ncuti Gatwa And Millie Gibson Lead A Bright New Era For Sci-fi Series 'Doctor Who'
After a transitional trilogy of specials that saw the return of popular Tenth Doctor David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and introduced his successor Ncuti Gatwa, followed by a Christmas special that brought companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) o
Los Angeles Times3 min read
Solar Storm Heading To Earth Could Disrupt Communications And Bring Northern Lights To California
LOS ANGELES — A different kind of storm could complicate this weekend's plans. For the first time since January 2005, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Friday evening. The catego

Related Books & Audiobooks