(ProsperNews.net) – A pro-Israel rally in California left one attendee dead after a Palestinian supporter confronted him following an argument. According to authorities, the victim is Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man who attended the Israel support rally.
During the rally, an unnamed protestor encountered Kessler, and the two engaged in a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation. After pro-Palestine supporters confronted Kessler, someone shoved the elderly man, who fell backward and hit his head on a curb. Kessler died following the incident. Authorities are actively investigating the incident and confirmed the altercation may be a hate crime once more details are known, as the altercation likely stemmed from Kessler’s religious beliefs and outspoken support of Israel.
According to Kessler’s autopsy, his cause of death was a brain injury resulting from homicide. A medical examiner’s ruling of “homicide” only means that the death was caused by another person; it does not necessarily mean that legal murder was committed.
Police aren’t releasing details about whether or not the protestor responsible for Kessler’s death is in custody. Investigators are asking anyone who attended the rally to share videos or pictures of the altercation involving Kessler in the hopes of identifying the person responsible for the elderly man’s death. According to one witness, who didn’t want his identity shared, multiple people began calling 911 for help once Kessler hit the ground, including the person who shoved him during the incident. The same witness also claims that the pro-Palestinian protestors at the rally acted “extremely aggressively” and even threw things like bottles and megaphones at those supporting Israel.
Kessler’s death is receiving national attention, with some lawmakers like Representative Jerry Nadler claiming Kessler’s tragic death is the result of antisemitism. Nadler also says that antisemitism is on the rise in the United States and that similar tragedies will likely follow as the war between Hamas and Israel continues.
Although authorities aren’t releasing details surrounding potential suspects, police are investigating a 50-year-old rally attendee for the death of Kessler. According to reports, this unnamed suspect is the best lead for authorities, but any criminal consequences for Kessler’s death are still pending. Police aren’t naming the individual in question but stated the suspect did cooperate with first responders who arrived at the scene of the altercation. More details surrounding the tragedy will likely follow in the coming weeks, given the national attention of Kessler’s unfortunate death.
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