Grandmother Hit in Head With LMPD ‘Less Lethal' Projectile Remains in ICU
Leslie remained in an intensive care unit Sunday
By Niala Charles ••
NBCUniversal, Inc.
NBC 7’s Niala Charles explained how a peaceful protests turned aggressive in La Mesa Saturday night.
A grandmother involved in Saturday night protests in La Mesa is in the hospital after being hit with a "less lethal" projectile by police.
Leslie Furcron was standing near the La Mesa Police headquarters at 7:30 p.m. just before things took a violent turn.
Protesters at the police building were mostly peaceful, though some people did throw water bottles and rocks at officers who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
As chaos broke out, Furcron was hit by a bean bag round between her eyes. The force knocked her to the ground and people nearby rushed to her aid.
Other protesters were also injured, some in the torso and many struggled to get the tear gas out of their eyes.
Furcron remained in an intensive care unit Sunday and family members have set up a GoFundMe for her medical bills.
The La Mesa Police Department has not responded to NBC 7's request for comment.
Frank curtis
Frank Curtis said this was taken at the shopping center in La Mesa where it shows two people of different races coming together during a difficult time.
Anobel Khoushabeh
A protester with milk on his face in La Mesa.
Anobel Khoushabeh
A protester with goggles in La Mesa.
NBC 7
Anobel Khoushabeh
A protester suffers an injury to his upper back during a demonstration in La Mesa.
Anobel Khoushabeh
A woman has milk on her face to help recover from wounds following a protest in La Mesa.
NBC 7
Telemundo 20, Mar Gonzales
Community members come together to clean up the aftermath of the protests.
NBC 7, Ramon Galindo
Locals are seen cleaning up an acupuncturist office.
Ramon Galindo, NBC 7
This is the Randall Lamb building, an engineering firm, that was burned on Saturday night in La Mesa.
Ramon Galindo, NBC 7
This is the Randall Lamb building, an engineering firm, that was burned on Saturday night in La Mesa.
Telemundo 20, Mar Gonzales
Community members come together to clean up the aftermath of the protests.
NBC 7, Steven Luke
This is what La Mesa Chase Bank looked like the morning of May 31, 2020
NBC 7, Ramon Galindo
This is the Union Bank in La Mesa on the morning of May 31, 2020
NBC 7, Steven Luke
Heartland Fire & Rescue vehicle on fire in the La Mesa area on May 30, 2020.
Looters break into the Walmart at Grossmont Center.
Niala Charles/NBC 7
Chase Bank location in La Mesa set on fire during protests on May 30, 2020.
A crowd gathered outside the La Mesa Police Department moments before officers deployed tear gas into the crowd on May 30, 2020.
Lauren Coronado/NBC 7
Tear gas deployed into the crowd outside the La Mesa Police headquarters on May 30, 2020.
NBC 7
La Mesa Police deploy tear gas into the crowd outside the headquarters on May 30, 2020.
NBC 7
La Mesa Police deploy tear gas into the crowd outside the headquarters on May 30, 2020.
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Law enforcement in tactical gear surrounding the La Mesa Police headquarters on May 30, 2020.
La Mesa Police deploy tear gas into the crowd outside the headquarters on May 30, 2020.
NBC 7
The California Highway Patrol in a standoff with protesters on Interstate 8 on May 30, 2020.
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Moments before the crowd breaks through the California Highway Patrol blockade on an Interstate 8 onramp.
NBC 7
Demonstrators flood both directions of Interstate 8 on May 30, 2020.
NBC 7
The California Highway Patrol in a standoff with protesters on May 30, 2020.
Niala Charles/NBC 7
Protesters gathered outside the headquarters early in the day on May 30, 2020.
NBC 7
Racial Justice Coalition gathered at Liberty Station before a car caravan protest on May 30, 2020.
NBC 7
Todd A. Davidson
Todd A. Davidson
NBC 7
NBC 7
NBC 7
NBC 7
Carmen Adams
Armored vehicle in La Mesa outside Sally's beauty supply
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story said Leslie Furcron was struck by a rubber bullet. La Mesa police said on Wednesday the projectile was a bean bag round.
