The death of a 69-year-old Jewish man after suffering a head injury during an altercation at demonstrations for Palestinians and Israelis in Southern California has been officially ruled a homicide, authorities confirmed. The man, identified as Paul Kessler, was involved in a physical altercation with at least one counterprotester during rallies in Thousand Oaks, as reported by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on Monday. Kessler fell backward during the altercation and struck his head on the ground, leading to his death the following day.
No suspect has been named, and it is unclear what led to or how many people were involved in the altercation. The sheriff’s office indicated that they have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime as they continue to investigate the incident.
The demonstrations in Thousand Oaks are part of a series of protests across the US in reaction to Israel’s intense retaliation after the October 7 Hamas attacks. These violent incidents have resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. Israeli airstrikes have impacted various civilian areas, including schools and refugee camps.
Kessler was found by deputies with a head injury Sunday afternoon and was later pronounced dead in the hospital. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as blunt force head injury.
While officials refer to Kessler as a “pro-Israeli protester,” further details have not been provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles expressed sorrow over the loss and condemned violence against the Jewish community. However, they are calling for sound judgment as the investigation unfolds. The tragic incident occurred at a time when antisemitic incidents are on the rise, prompting widespread concern and calls for unity.
The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations offered its condolences to Kessler’s family and the Jewish community while also urging restraint in drawing conclusions about the incident. A local rabbi has also encouraged community members to wait for the investigation’s results before making assumptions. He is advising caution amidst potentially misinformed narratives and escalating tensions within the community.
The circumstances surrounding Kessler’s death and the wider context of the ongoing demonstrations are still being unraveled. This remains a developing story.
