(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, reportedly died after being assaulted by a pro-Palestinian heckler in California, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday.
Law enforcement officials announced that the alleged assault occurred at 3:20 p.m. when dueling pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests took place. One witness told authorities that the hit made the man drop to the ground where he hit his head. He was taken to the hospital but passed away a day later.
BREAKING – Ventura County Sheriff confirms to @newsnation Paul Kessler, 69-Year-Old Jewish man died from blunt force head injury and the manner of death is a homicide. After a physical altercation happened on Nov 5th at a Pro-Israeli / Pro-Palestinian event, both of which were… pic.twitter.com/JNHyYoBSfH
— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) November 7, 2023
“An autopsy was performed on November 6th and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force head injury and the manner of death homicide,” law enforcement officials said.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation, and the incident appears to be isolated and not part of a large effort,” police added
Following the assault, pro-Palestinian protesters continued chanting, with his blood still lying on the ground. A photo shared on social media depicted Kessler five minutes before he was reportedly attacked.
Anti-Israel protesters resume chanting as Paul Kessler is taken away in an ambulance.
“As a man is being taken away on an ambulance for being knocked unconscious… this is the kind of respect these Palestinian protesters are giving.” — source from the scene of the deadly attack. pic.twitter.com/BLBoOhXoO9— Christina Buttons (@buttonslives) November 7, 2023
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles decried the passing of the man, saying that he was struck in the head with a megaphone during an “antisemitic crime.”
“Violence against our people has no place in civilized society,” the group said in a statement. “We demand safety. We will not tolerate violence against our community. We will do everything in our power to prevent it.”
— Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles (@JFedLA) November 7, 2023
Kessler’s passing comes as massive protests break out in the U.S. following Hamas’ barbaric invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7. Pro-Palestinian individuals protest Israel’s offense in the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip.
BREAKING: This is the last photo of Paul Kessler taken just 5 minutes before he was attacked by an anti-Israel protester yesterday afternoon. I received photos and videos from a source at the scene. pic.twitter.com/QBbLIO0lBM
— Christina Buttons (@buttonslives) November 7, 2023
