Lawyer: Scott Olsen Intentionally Shot By Beanbag

By Diane Sweet — March 15, 2012

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Iraq war veteran Scott Olsen was hit in the head with a beanbag round during an Occupy Oakland protest last October, says Olsen's attorney. The shot fractured Olsen's skull.

Mark Martel, Olsen’s attorney, said he is is preparing to file a claim against Oakland.

Via:

Martel said he was e-mailed confirmation of the beanbag shot two weeks ago by an Oakland Police Department investigator who is looking into the department's handling of the Occupy protests.

The attorney said videos showing Olsen, a former Marine and a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, during the protest indicate that whoever shot him was within 30 feet.

"Because it was in close distance, it suggests this was an intentional shot to the head," Martel said.

Olsen was hit during a confrontation between officers and demonstrators on Oct. 25, hours after officers removed the Occupy Oakland encampment from the plaza in front of Oakland's City Hall. The department requested help from at least 17 other law enforcement agencies to evict the camp and respond to the protest that followed.