At a pro-Israel rally in California, an elderly Jew was killed in a “physical altercation” with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator, according to an announcement made Monday evening by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
According to a department press release, deputies were dispatched to the scene of a verbal altercation between 69-year-old Paul Kessler and an unidentified protester on Sunday afternoon, following which reports of assault surfaced at a demonstration at the intersection of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the “possibility of a hate crime” has not been ruled out, according to the department.
According to the release, the autopsy conducted by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office identified blunt force head trauma as the cause of death and homicide as the manner of death for Kessler.
An online video depicts Kessler on the ground, hemorrhaging, and clutching his head.
While leaning over him, a protester carrying a “Free Palestine” sign and adorned with an embroidered Palestinian flag on her jacket could be seen.
Monday evening, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles reported on X that Kessler was confronted with a megaphone by a pro-Palestinian protester.
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