Suspect arrested for manslaughter in death of protester at California rally over Israel-Hamas war

MARK OSBORNE and MEREDITH DELISO
·2 min read
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A California man has been arrested in connection with the death of Paul Kessler at a rally in Thousand Oaks on Nov. 5, according to law enforcement.

Loay Alnaji, 50, will be booked on a charge of involuntary manslaughter with a bail set at $1 million, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, died from blunt-force head trauma following a confrontation with a counterprotester, amid simultaneous pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said.

PHOTO: In this photo provided by JLTV, Paul Kessler attends a demonstration in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Sunday Nov. 5, 2023. (JLTV via AP)
PHOTO: In this photo provided by JLTV, Paul Kessler attends a demonstration in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Sunday Nov. 5, 2023. (JLTV via AP)

The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said Kessler suffered from skull fractures and swelling and bruising of the brain and determined his death to be a homicide.

In the days following the incident, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said they did not have enough evidence to make an arrest in his death.

"Though an arrest has been made, we continue to encourage community members who may have information about this criminal investigation and have yet to come forward to please contact Detective Stump at (805) 384-4745," the sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday.

MORE: Footage sought in deadly altercation at dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies

The sheriff's office asked that anyone who drove a vehicle with video recording equipment through the area of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard between 3 and 4 p.m. local time on Nov. 5 to submit any footage they have.

Multiple people called the Ventura County Sheriff's Communication Center to report an incident of battery at that corner, where pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations were taking place. About 75 to 100 people total were present, according to Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.

Among those to call 911 was the suspect in the incident, who was attending the pro-Palestinian demonstration, according to Fryhoff.

PHOTO: A person places flowers at a makeshift memorial at the site of an altercation between 69-year-old Paul Kessler, who was Jewish, and pro-Palestinian protester on Nov. 7, 2023, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
PHOTO: A person places flowers at a makeshift memorial at the site of an altercation between 69-year-old Paul Kessler, who was Jewish, and pro-Palestinian protester on Nov. 7, 2023, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Authorities arriving on the scene located Kessler and noted he was bleeding from the head and mouth, the sheriff said.

He was transported to a local hospital for what authorities said was "advanced medical treatment," but he died from his injuries early on Nov. 6, officials said.

MORE: Not enough evidence for arrest so far in Jewish protester death: Police

Fryhoff said the suspect remained at the scene and was interviewed.

"The suspect was cooperative and indicated he was involved in an altercation with Mr. Kessler," Fryhoff told reporters last week.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said it was "grateful for the swift work" of authorities in response to Kessler's death.

"This arrest shows that violence towards our Jewish community will not be tolerated," the organization said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the case to help ensure justice is served."

Suspect arrested for manslaughter in death of protester at California rally over Israel-Hamas war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com