The Ventura County Sheriff's Office in California said it has not ruled out the possibility that the death of a 69-year-old man, who was injured during an altercation at a pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian event, is a hate crime.
Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jew who participated in the demonstration held on November 5 at the intersection of Westlake Blvd. and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the city of Thousand Oaks, died after succumbing to his injuries on November 6.
After the altercation, at approximately 3:20 p.m., several citizens called the Ventura Sheriff's Communications Center to report that an assault had occurred at the scene; when officers arrived, they located Kessler, who was suffering from a head injury.
Witness accounts indicated that Kessler was involved in a physical altercation with counter-protesters. During the dispute, Kessler fell backward and hit his head on the ground.
Kessler was transported to an area hospital for advanced medical treatment, but died the following day.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide after an autopsy on Jan. 6 determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Authorities said the investigation is active and ongoing, and that the incident appears to be isolated and not part of a larger effort.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's assistance in this ongoing investigation and is urging anyone who witnessed or has knowledge of the incident, or who was present at the demonstration, to contact Detective Stump at (805) 384-4745.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). While those wishing to share videos or images of the incident can do so and remain anonymous using the following link: https://venturasheriffca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/23-142110.
“This death is a shock to our region at a time when tensions continue to rise around the world. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that violence and hate are met with accountability and consequences. Los Angeles refuses to harbor this hate,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
“As details emerge and are confirmed, we remain steadfast in condemning violence and anti-Semitism,” he added.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) Greater Los Angeles office expressed sadness at the news of Kessler's death.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic and shocking loss. We join local Jewish leaders in calling on all people to refrain from jumping to conclusions, sensationalizing such a tragedy for political gain, or spreading rumors that could unnecessarily escalate tensions that are already at an all-time high,” Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR-LA, said in a statement.
In that regard, he urged people to wait for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office to complete its investigation before drawing conclusions. “Our thoughts are with the family and the Jewish community during this difficult time.”
“While we strongly support the right to political debate, CAIR-LA and the Muslim community stand with the Jewish community in rejecting all violence, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or incitement to hatred,” he said.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the CaliFornia State Library.
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