WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
A 69-year-old Jewish man died Monday after dueling pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests near Los Angeles allegedly turned violent — and authorities have not ruled out the possibility that his death was a hate crime.
Paul Kessler died early Monday morning of head injuries sustained Sunday afternoon at a protest in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff confirmed at a press conference Tuesday.
Investigators are now piecing together the moments before Kessler – an avid supporter of Israel – seemingly fell backward and suffered skull fractures and swelling and bruising of the brain, the officials said.
Kessler also had injuries on his face that “could be consistent with a blow,” but the circumstances are still unclear, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young explained at the press conference.
The prime suspect in the confrontation was identified as a 50-year-old resident of nearby Moorpark, though Sheriff Fryhoff declined to provide their name.
The individual was cooperative at the scene of the incident on Sunday, and was even part of the group that called 911 for Kessler’s injuries, Fryhoff added.
Paul Kessler succumbed to injuries sustained at dueling demonstrations on Sunday in Thousand Oaks.
A search warrant for both the suspect and their residence was issued on Monday after Kessler’s death, and the suspect was briefly detained while both were executed, the sheriff said.
“We have not ruled out that this is a hate crime,” Fryohh told reporters.
Anyone who witnessed the alleged confrontation is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The Israel supporter fell and hit his head during an altercation with pro-Palestinian protesters.
Kessler, of Thousand Oaks, was initially reported to have suffered his injuries during a scuffle with pro-Palestinian protesters around 3:20 p.m. Sunday, authorities and family friends said.
The Los Angeles Times reported Kessler was struck in the head before he was knocked over, citing deputies.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said in a statement Kessler was hit with a megaphone, but Fryhoff declined to speculate on that point Tuesday.
Moshe Bryski, a local rabbi from Chabad of Agoura Hills, told The Post Kessler’s death was “just a tragedy.”
Kessler’s wife was “in a state of total shock” when he called her Tuesday morning, he noted.
Kessler was a counter-protester to a pro-Palestinian demonstration, he said.
“You don’t expect people to go to a rally and not come home,” Bryski said.
Footage circulating on social media of the purported incident shows a man lying on the ground with an apparent head injury as two people, including a woman with a jacket emblazoned with “Free Palestine,” come to his aid.
A family friend of Kessler’s, Justin Cohen, told The Post Monday night the rally attended by Kessler was the second one he attended since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.
Cohen, a 38-year-old lawyer, said he was “shocked and devastated” by the sudden death.
“I’ve never known him to have a modicum of violence in him in his entire life,” Cohen said about Kessler.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been announced.
“He was not a closet Zionist — he wore it like a badge of honor,” Cohen also said. “He was a proud Jew and proud Israel supporter.”
Michael Barclay, a local rabbi who has been in contact with the police, told The Post authorities were still seeking any footage witnesses could provide to shed light on the incident.
Barclay said a man allegedly involved in the altercation was interviewed by investigators.
Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell said in a statement he was “heartbroken” over the death.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the tragic death of an elderly man today after having been struck at a protest in my district,” he posted on X.
“My prayers are with this man’s family and friends. Our whole community grieves at this senseless loss of life. I call for peace in our community.”
