Jewish man dies after confrontation at California Israel-Palestine protests
Death of Paul Kessler, 69, being treated as homicide after he fell backwards and hit his head on the ground
A 69-year-old Jewish man in California has died after a confrontation during protests about the Israel-Hamas war on Sunday.
Paul Kessler was reportedly struck over the head with a megaphone during the rallies in Los Angeles, and died in hospital the following day.
According to a statement from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, witnesses said Kessler was involved in a “physical altercation” with one or more counter-protesters, “fell backward and struck his head on the ground”.
The sheriff’s office said it had not taken any suspect into custody following the incident, which appeared “to be isolated and not part of a large effort”.
Footage on social media appeared to show Kessler lying on the ground and holding his head.
The autopsy said Kessler died from a blunt force head injury and it was homicide, according to the sheriff’s department. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the act was a hate crime.
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