A security guard at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles was arrested on January 4 after allegedly pepper-spraying multiple pro-democracy activists during a peaceful protest outside the diplomatic mission, according to police and protest organisers.
The guard, identified as 38-year-old Wu Xian, was detained by local police after spraying pepper spray at demonstrators who had gathered to mark what they described as the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Protesters said eight people were sprayed, with five requiring hospital treatment.
Wu is the owner of JK Patrol SVC, a California-based private security company. Public records show he holds several senior titles within the firm, including chief executive and chief financial officer, and possesses a private patrol operator licence issued by California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
The protest was organised by the China Democracy Party International Alliance and the Hong Kong Liberal Democratic Party and drew around two dozen participants. During the roughly two-hour rally, demonstrators criticised the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and President Xi Jinping, waved American and Venezuelan flags, and chanted slogans calling for political freedom in China. Some protesters drew parallels between Xi and Maduro, chanting slogans such as, “Today it’s Maduro, tomorrow it’s Xi Jinping.”
According to Jie Lijian, head of the China Democracy Party International Alliance, tensions escalated even before the rally officially began, with consulate security guards allegedly taunting protesters. As the demonstration was ending, Wu became involved in a heated verbal exchange with several activists, video footage shows.
In the video, Wu—wearing a vest marked “JK Patrol SVC”—is heard making threatening remarks in Mandarin, including statements interpreted as violent threats. He is also seen gesturing as if aiming a firearm at a protester. Moments later, he deployed pepper spray against several demonstrators and continued spraying others as he moved around the sidewalk and into the street.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it received an emergency call around 2 p.m. local time and arrested a suspect for violating California laws regulating the use of tear gas or similar chemical agents.
Several protesters described suffering serious physical effects. Jie said he experienced burning in both eyes, breathing difficulties, chest pain, nausea, and vomiting and was hospitalised for around 10 hours. Another protester, Chen Ning, said Wu chased him and sprayed his eyes, face, neck, and arms, leaving him in severe pain and temporarily unable to see clearly. Chen said one fellow demonstrator suffered convulsions following the incident.
Jie condemned the incident as an example of what he called the CCP’s transnational repression and said those responsible should be held fully accountable under U.S. law. He added that the group plans to file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation.
Reflecting on recent developments in Venezuela, Jie said the situation was emotionally complex for Chinese democracy activists. While hopeful about democratic change elsewhere, he said uncertainty remains about when similar change might come to China, though he expressed belief that it would eventually happen.
The Epoch Times reported that it contacted the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, and JK Patrol SVC for comment, but none had responded by the time of publication.
