Pro-Israeli and Pro-Palestinian Rallies in Thousand Oaks Result in Death of Jewish Man

Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old resident of Thousand Oaks, tragically lost his life on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained during an altercation at simultaneous pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian rallies. The rallies took place at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, responsible for the investigation, confirmed the details of the incident.

Joining the chorus of outrage, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her deep concern over the death of the Jewish man. According to reports, he was allegedly struck during the dueling demonstrations in Ventura County, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the sidewalk. Mayor Bass voiced her condemnation of the violence and antisemitism surrounding the incident.

Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff addressed the media on Tuesday, revealing that the investigation is considering the possibility of a hate crime and treating it as a homicide. While a 50-year-old Moorpark man, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been identified as a suspect and interviewed, he has not yet been arrested. Sheriff Fryhoff disclosed that Kessler was attending the pro-Israel rally, while the suspect was associated with the pro-Palestine rally.

Conflicting accounts emerged from witnesses at the scene regarding the aggressor in the encounter, as shared by Fryhoff. The investigation is ongoing, with the sheriff urging individuals with any information or video evidence to come forward.

Outrage and Condemnation from Los Angeles Officials

Mayor Bass, in a statement released on Tuesday, expressed her grief and denounced violence and antisemitism. She emphasized the need for accountability and consequences in the face of hatred and violence. The statement was echoed by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who emphasized that antisemitic crimes cannot be ignored and will not be tolerated in the city.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles also issued a statement condemning the man’s death. They expressed their devastation and solidarity with the victim’s family, highlighting that this incident marks the fourth major antisemitic crime in Los Angeles this year.

Rabbi Michael Barclay, the spiritual leader at Temple Ner Simcha near where the incident occurred, urged caution in spreading misinformation before the investigation is concluded. He emphasized the ongoing police investigation and the need for accuracy.

Details of the Incident and Autopsy Report

Multiple calls reporting a battery at the rallies were received by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Communication Center around 3:20 p.m. on Sunday. Responding deputies discovered Kessler with a head injury. He was conscious and able to communicate with the deputies and paramedics at the scene. Kessler remained conscious while being transported to the hospital but tragically passed away shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday morning.

An autopsy conducted by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the cause of death was a blunt force head injury, confirming the sheriff department’s determination of homicide. Dr. Christopher Young, the county medical examiner, stated that Kessler had injuries to his head and face, including non-lethal bruising, which were consistent with being struck. The fatal injuries, however, were caused when Kessler fell and hit the back of his head on the ground.

Dr. Young stressed that while the death was determined to be a homicide, it does not automatically indicate a crime was committed. It signifies that another person was a contributing factor in the death, and the determination of a criminal act would be made by the District Attorney’s Office.

Commitment to Protecting the Community

Sheriff Fryhoff acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the investigation due to the Israel-Hamas war. He assured the Muslim and Jewish communities that the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office stands with them during this challenging time. The office remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of all community members, irrespective of their race, religion, or ethnicity.

The sheriff encouraged anyone with information or video evidence related to the altercation to come forward. Detective Stump can be contacted at 805-384-4745, and anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Reporting by City News Services.