DEADLY CLASH
Tragic details in Paul Kessler’s death after Jewish man fatally injured in clash at Israel-Palestine rally in California
Haunting video from the protest shows the victim bloody on the ground
A JEWISH man has died a day after he was injured in a violent clash at dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine rallies, cops say.
Paul Kessler, 69, suffered a fatal wound to the head at the demonstration in California and his death has been ruled a homicide.
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Cops raced to an intersection in Thousand Oaks outside Los Angeles at around 3:20 pm on Sunday after reports of an assault.
First responders found Kessler on the ground, suffering from a head wound.
Witnesses told deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office that Kessler got into a physical altercation with at least one counter-protestor, fell backward, and hit his head on the ground.
He was rushed to the hospital, where he died of his injuries the following day.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
The medical examiner’s office determined that his death was a homicide from blunt force trauma.
“The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident and has not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said at Tuesday news conference that investigators are getting conflicting information from protesters on both sides about what happened before Kessler was injured.
A suspect has been identified and that person called 911 after Kessler fell, KTLA reported.
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The man was questioned and cops searched his home but the sheriff's office hasn't yet determined if a crime occurred.
“What exactly transpired prior to Mr. Kessler falling backward isn’t crystal clear right now,” Fryoff said.
It's also unclear if more than one protester was involved in the confrontation with Kessler.
HAUNTING VIDEO
Supporters of both Palestine and Israel had gathered near Westlake and Thousand Oaks at the time, the sheriff's office said.
Video was posted and re-shared online showing a man who appeared to be Kessler lying on the ground with blood coming from his head.
The five-second clip showed a woman carrying a cardboard sign with a jacket that read "Free Palestine," seemingly bending down to help Kessler while others gathered around him.
Several Jewish groups have spoken out, condemning the incident.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles released a statement claiming that Kessler was attacked by a pro-Palestinian protestor.
“We are devastated to learn of the tragic death of an elderly Jewish man who was struck in the head by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protestor in Westlake Village. Our hearts are with the family of the victim," the federation wrote.
“While we wait for more information from our law enforcement partners, we remind you that this is the fourth major antisemitic crime committed in Los Angeles this year alone.
"Violence against our people has no place in civilized society. We demand safety. We will not tolerate violence against our community. We will do everything in our power to prevent it.”
'LET COPS INVESTIGATE'
Rabbi Michael Barclay, leader of the Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village near Thousand Oaks, urged the public to let cops do their job and avoid rushing to conclusions.
"To make things clear. Paul's death has been ruked (sic) by the M.E. a homicide, but to quote the Chief of Police, whom I just hung up, that can range from an accident to intentional murder and anywhere in between," he wrote.
"PLEASE let Sheriff Fryhoff and Chief Paris do their jobs. As of right now, there are multiple conflicting witness reports, and no video of what happened before Paul hit the ground. These are good men, and please have faith they will see justice."
Sunday's competing protests follow hundreds of demonstrations around the world since the onset of the war between Hamas and Israel.
Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said there has been a rise in antisemitic incidents since the violence broke out.
"People have a right to protest Israeli policies and actions - but in far too many cases of late, we've seen protesters veer into explicit and dangerous extremism and antisemitism. Paul Kessler's death appears to be the sadly inevitable result," she said.
"We need all decent people to unequivocally reject the hate and violence that has spiraled since October 7, no matter their opinions on the conflict or who that hate and violence targets."
Fryhoff called for people to avoid jumping to conclusions and to "refrain from spreading rumors or spreading misinformation on social media or other platforms, as that can not only hinder our investigation, but it can cause unnecessary panic in our community."
Kessler was part of a group of pro-Israel demonstrators who showed up to the rally that was initially advertised as a gathering to support Palestinians, said Fryhoff.
There were about 75 people in total at the event and there were no signs of violence until about 15 minutes before the altercation.
Additional patrols have been assigned to nearby synagogues and mosques, said Fryhoff.
AUTOPSY RESULTS
More information has also emerged about Kessler's injuries.
He died from blunt force head trauma consistent with a fall but also had injuries that “could be consistent” with a blow to the face, Ventura County Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young said.
The left side of his face and back of his head were wounded with injuries including skull fractures and swelling and bruising of the brain.
When asked if Kessler was hit with a megaphone, the sheriff said: "I’ve heard that, and I think the medical examiner has said the injuries on the face could have been caused by a megaphone.
“But I don’t have the information of what he had on him at the time.”
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The sheriff has asked the public for help in learning what happened to Kessler before he was wounded.
Witnesses are asked to provide video footage from the incident if they have any.
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