On May 20, 2026, plaintiff Danielle Soule, represented by Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the LAPD and LAPD Officers Gary Copeland and Ruben Rodriguez for their striking of Ms. Soule’s head while she was peacefully filming at a protest, which resulted in a laceration requiring staples to her scalp, a severe concussion, and long-lasting trauma.
On October 18, 2025, Ms. Soule attended a No Kings protest to document ICE and LAPD activity. LAPD officers on mounted horseback maneuvered their horses to push her and the rest of the crowd of peaceful protestors in one direction. While Ms. Soule was filming the officers doing this, Officer Copeland forcefully bludgeoned Ms. Soule on her head. From the high-up vantage point on his horse, Copeland’s blow was so violent that it split Ms. Soule’s scalp. Ms. Soule was taken to the emergency room where she required six staples to close the gaping, bleeding wound. She was diagnosed with severe concussion, suffered daily debilitating headaches, dizziness and confusion for weeks afterwards. To this day, she suffers daily headaches, disorientation, dizziness and mental trauma.
“It is time for Mayor Karen Bass to step up and stop this senseless police brutality,” said Dan Stormer, one of the attorneys for plaintiff Danielle Soule. “Striking Ms. Soule forcefully right on top of her head could have killed her,” said Attorney Bina Ahmad. “Clearly the LAPD wrongly believes they cannot be monitored and can commit violence with impunity. But we are here to stand up to this state violence,” said Attorney Ahmad. “It is dangerous to the public and cruel to the horses to force them, who are 1,000-pound prey animals and spook easily in crowds and to loud noises, to ride into a crowd of peaceful protesters.”
“The LAPD has a history of violently retaliating against citizens exercising their First Amendment rights,” said Attorney Kate McFarlane. “Ms. Soule continues to suffer from both psychological and physiological effects of this state sponsored violence. This repeated behavior by the LAPD must stop, and we intend to hold them accountable,” said Attorney McFarlane.
Read the Complaint here.