69-Year-Old Jewish Man Dies from Head Injury after Altercation with Pro-Palestinian Protester in Thousand Oaks, California

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Southern California investigators are reaching out to the public for assistance as they delve into conflicting testimonies surrounding the death of a 69-year-old Jewish man in Thousand Oaks on Sunday. The man, identified as Paul Kessler, tragically suffered a fatal head injury during simultaneous Israel-Hamas war protests. Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff stated that Kessler was involved in a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian protester prior to his fall, although the exact cause of the fall remains uncertain.

“We are still awaiting evidence of the events that took place during that interaction, including whether there was a punch to the face that led to the fall or if Mr. Kessler fell without any external cause,” Fryhoff explained. He urged individuals with video footage, photos, or personal accounts of the incident to come forward and share them.

According to the sheriff, Kessler was participating in the demonstrations supporting Israel. These demonstrations have been taking place in various cities across the United States, either in favor of Israel or as a protest against its response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 individuals. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, citing sources from the Hamas-controlled enclave, reported that Israel’s military operation led to the death of over 10,000 individuals in Gaza.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene just before 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Kessler was still conscious and responsive. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was classified as being in critical condition. Unfortunately, he passed away overnight due to his injuries, according to Dr. Christopher Young, the chief medical examiner for Ventura County.

The death of Kessler is currently being investigated as a potential homicide, and authorities are considering the possibility of a hate crime involvement. During the incident, a 50-year-old suspect engaged in a confrontation with Kessler, as confirmed by the sheriff. The suspect cooperated with investigators and provided an interview at the scene. He later was apprehended during a search of his residence conducted by the sheriffs office but was released without being charged or arrested.

While Kessler’s cause of death has been determined as a homicide, Dr. Young clarified that this classification does not automatically imply a crime has been committed. “Simply put, it means that someone else caused the death or played a role in the death,” Young explained. The district attorney’s office will ultimately decide if the homicide calls for legal action.

Amidst escalating concerns about hate-driven assaults on Jews, Muslims, and Palestinians in the US during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, leaders from both the Jewish and Muslim communities expressed sorrow for the tragic incident and denounced violence. In response to the incident, the sheriffs office has increased patrols around both Muslim and Jewish houses of worship and community centers.

Approximately 75 to 100 individuals gathered for the Sunday protests at an intersection in Thousand Oaks. The two groups involved were referred to as “Freedom for Palestine” and “We are Pro-Israel,” according to Sheriff Fryhoff. Prior to Kessler’s accident, no instances of violence had occurred during the series of protests organized throughout the county since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, as stated by the sheriff.

The sheriffs office received several calls regarding a potential assault linked to the ongoing protests at the intersection. Deputies and medical responders arrived at the location within minutes to find Kessler lying on the ground, conscious and responsive. A video captured Kessler lying on his back on the sidewalk with blood on his face and the ground. Individuals wearing a Palestinian flag and a man were seen attempting to provide assistance. However, the footage does not show the confrontation that led to Kessler’s injuries.

According to the sheriff, investigators spoke to witnesses at the scene who supported either Israel or Palestine. Their accounts of the aggressor and the altercation’s details conflicted with each other. Kessler received medical assistance from the responders of Ventura County Fire Department and was transported to a hospital, where his condition was critical. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he was declared deceased shortly after 1 a.m., as confirmed by the medical examiner.

An autopsy revealed that Kessler’s cause of death was blunt force head trauma, consistent with a fall, including skull fractures, brain swelling and bruising, and non-fatal injuries to his face.

Local government officials, as well as Jewish and Muslim community leaders, are urging the community to remain patient while authorities investigate the incident and denounce violence amidst escalating tensions related to the war between Israel and Hamas. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles expressed deep sorrow for Kessler’s loss and extended condolences to his family. The federation strongly condemns violence targeting the Jewish community and pledges to take all necessary measures to prevent such acts and ensure the safety of its members.

Rabbi Michael Barclay from Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village has reached out to both the Thousand Oaks police chief and the Ventura County sheriff, advising individuals to patiently await the investigation’s findings. He emphasized the importance of preventing unnecessary escalation and a repeat of past atrocities.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Greater Los Angeles Area office expressed profound sorrow and disbelief regarding this heartbreaking tragedy. The council urged individuals to avoid hasty judgments, exploitation of the tragedy for political purposes, or spreading rumors that may further exacerbate tensions. CAIR-LA and the Muslim community align themselves with the Jewish community in denouncing all forms of violence, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and instigation of hatred.

As the investigation continues, the community is urged to come forward with any information that may assist the authorities in their search for the truth..