A 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran was critically injured at the Occupy Oakland protests when he was hit in the head by a tear gas canister as police cleared the area. INSIDE EDITION has the details.
A marine was critically injured at the Occupy Oakland protest.
He was standing in a camouflage uniform beside another protester in a sailor suit. Suddenly, chaos erupted, and his skull was fractured by a flying tear gas canister.
As he was carried away, fellow protesters tried to speak with him.
We now know that his name is Scott Olsen, a 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran. He was a corporal who served two tours in Iraq before getting out on an administrative discharge. The reason for that discharge is not immediately known, though it could be anything from a medical condition to a punitive measure.
Olsen's roommate, Keith Shannon, served with him in Iraq. He spoke with Keith Olbermann about Olsen's condition.
"Right now, he's been sedated. He's on a respirator with a skull fracture and swelling on his brain," said Shannon.
As Olsen lay injured on the street, a cop appeared to lob a tear gas canister into the midst of those trying to help him.
Olsen's injury is part of what triggered a march of solidarity in New York City on Wednesday night. At least ten people were arrested in the clash between helmeted cops and protesters in Lower Manhattan.
