Wu Xian, a security guard, fires pepper spray at pro-democracy activists outside the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2026. Screenshot via The Epoch Times
By NTDTV Staff
A security guard hired by the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles was arrested Jan. 4 after pepper-spraying multiple pro-democracy activists during a peaceful protest outside the diplomatic mission, according to police and demonstrators.
The guard, identified as Wu Xian, 38, was handcuffed and arrested by Los Angeles police after spraying eight protesters, five of whom were hospitalized, protesters said. The demonstration was held to celebrate the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and to denounce authoritarian rule.
Wu is the owner of California-based security company JK Patrol SVC and holds titles including chief executive officer and chief financial officer. He also possesses a private patrol operator license issued by California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, according to a state consumer affairs database.
The protest was organized by the China Democracy Party International Alliance and the Hong Kong Liberal Democratic Party and drew about two dozen participants. During the two-hour rally, demonstrators criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leader, Xi Jinping, while waving American and Venezuelan flags.
Protesters chanted slogans calling for Xi to be put on trial and compared him to Maduro, shouting, “Today it’s Maduro, tomorrow it’s Xi Jinping.”
Jie Lijian, head of the China Democracy Party International Alliance, said consulate security guards began taunting demonstrators before the rally started at about 1:30 p.m. local time.
As the protest was ending, Wu—wearing a vest labeled “JK Patrol SVC”—became involved in a heated exchange with several protesters, according to video footage taken at the scene.
In the footage, Wu can be heard repeatedly telling one protester, “Can you die three times?” In Mandarin, he also says, “Get behind me, get behind me, the three of us will [expletive] you,” referring to other guards. He is seen gesturing with his left hand as if holding a pistol and pointing it at demonstrators.
Minutes later, Wu told protesters he would not hold back and began pepper-spraying them.
“Don’t walk away, come here,” Wu can be heard saying in the video.
Footage shows him moving around a garden area on the sidewalk, stepping into the street, and spraying additional protesters.
Chen Ning, one of the demonstrators, said he was sprayed in the eyes, face, neck, and arms after telling the guard that the rally was taking place in a public area and that his actions were a “blatant challenge” to U.S. law and sovereignty.
“He chased me and sprayed me,” Chen told The Epoch Times. He said his upper body was in pain and he could barely open his eyes.
Chen said the guard then asked protesters, “Are you enjoying it?”
After attempting to wash his face with water from his car, Chen said his vision became blurry and he collapsed to the ground. He struggled to dial 911 correctly and said one fellow protester was convulsing.
Jie suffered burns to both eyes, dry coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, and vomiting, according to medical records reviewed by The Epoch Times. He said he remained hospitalized for about 10 hours and continued spitting out yellow, bitter-tasting fluid.
“I was surprised by his brazenness,” Jie said.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it received a “disturbing call” around 2 p.m. on Jan. 4 and arrested a suspect for violating a California law governing the purchase, possession, or use of tear gas or tear gas weapons.
Jie said those responsible should “pay the full price under the law,” calling the incident a clear example of the CCP’s “global, transnational acts of repression.” He said demonstrators plan to file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation.
Reflecting on developments in Venezuela, Jie said the protest was bittersweet.
“We also hope that this day will come for China,” he said. “And we believe it will not be far off.”