A University of Southern California freshman has lost an eye after being struck by a projectile fired by a federal agent during a protest in downtown Los Angeles last month, according to his attorney.

Tucker Collins, 18, was hit by what his lawyer described as a "less-lethal" projectile fired by a Department of Homeland Security agent on March 28 during a "No Kings" march, attorney V. James DeSimone said in a statement Wednesday.

According to DeSimone, Collins was in downtown Los Angeles to photograph protesters who were demonstrating against Trump administration policies. The protesters held signs and chanted slogans during the march.

The attorney characterized the incident as an "overt act of repression" by homeland security officials. Collins was reportedly observing the demonstration when he was struck by the projectile.

The Department of Homeland Security has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the incident. The circumstances surrounding why the projectile was fired and whether Collins was specifically targeted remain unclear.

Collins' injury represents one of the more severe outcomes from the use of less-lethal weapons during recent protests. Such projectiles, while designed to be non-fatal, can cause serious injuries when used in crowd control situations.