OAKLAND, Calif.—A Marine Corps veteran whose skull was fractured during an Occupy Oakland protest was struck by a police beanbag round, not a tear gas canister.
Scott Olsen’s lawyer told the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday that the Oakland Police Department confirmed Olsen was struck by a bean bag round fired less than 30 feet away during the October clash outside Oakland City Hall.
Attorney Mark Martel, who is preparing to file a claim against the Police Department, says bean bag rounds are meant to hit people, indicating the officer intentionally aimed at Olsen’s head.
Police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson has refused to identify the officer.
The Police Department and the private Frazier Group are investigating the response to the anti-Wall Street protests.