69-year-old Man Dies in Altercation at Palestinian-Israeli Demonstrations in Thousand Oaks

Death Ruled a Homicide as Investigation Continues

Thousand Oaks, California
CNN
 — 

A 69-year-old man has tragically died after sustaining a head injury during an altercation at demonstrations for Palestinians and Israelis in Thousand Oaks, California, on Sunday. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has ruled his death a homicide.

According to witnesses, the man, identified as Paul Kessler, was involved in a physical altercation with at least one counter-protester while pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian rallies were taking place in the same area of Thousand Oaks. The altercation resulted in Kessler falling backwards and striking his head on the ground, as stated in a news release by the sheriff’s office on Monday.

The sheriff’s office further mentioned that Kessler was found by deputies with a head injury on Sunday afternoon. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries the following day. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a blunt force head injury, leading to the classification of the manner of death as a homicide.

The demonstrations in Thousand Oaks on Sunday were part of a series of protests that have erupted across the United States in response to Israel’s intense retaliation for the Hamas attacks on October 7th, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 individuals, including both civilians and soldiers. The city, located approximately 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles, became a focal point for expressing solidarity with both the Israeli and Palestinian causes.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen a devastating toll, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah reporting more than 10,000 deaths since Israel launched its military offensive a month ago. The Israeli airstrikes have targeted various locations such as schools, refugee camps, and ambulances, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

As the investigation into Kessler’s death continues, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has not named any suspects or provided details on the circumstances leading up to the altercation. They have, however, stated that they have not ruled out the possibility of the incident being a hate crime.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that this is an active and ongoing investigation and that the incident appears to be isolated, rather than part of a larger coordinated effort. They have appealed to the public for any information that may help shed light on the events that transpired during the demonstration.

While the sheriff’s office referred to Kessler as a “pro-Israeli protester,” they have not provided additional information about his involvement in the demonstrations. CNN has reached out to the sheriff’s office for further details.

In response to the tragic incident, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles expressed their condolences to the victim’s family, stating, “Our hearts are with the family of the victim.”

Local religious leaders, such as Rabbi Michael Barclay from Temple Ner Simcha in nearby Westlake Village, have been in contact with law enforcement regarding Kessler’s death. Barclay is advising community members to await the results of the investigation and is urging anyone who may have recorded the incident to share their footage with the police.

Rabbi Barclay stated that there are conflicting reports about the sequence of events leading up to the altercation, but he trusts the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. He emphasized the importance of allowing law enforcement to perform their duties while also advocating for justice in the face of such tragic incidents.

As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial to support the authorities and provide any relevant evidence to assist in their efforts. Rabbi Barclay also highlighted the need for maintaining peace and unity within the community during this challenging time.

If you have any footage or information related to the incident, please contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and assist them in their investigation.

It is worth noting that the location where the altercation took place has been a frequent site for demonstrations. Rabbi Barclay.