California police said the details surrounding the death of an elderly pro-Israel Jewish protester aren’t “crystal clear.”
Paul Kessler, 69, died on Monday after an altercation with a pro-Palestinian protester. Kessler fell backward and hit his head, causing injuries that ultimately led to his death. In a press conference, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said that accounts of what happened are contradictory, and more information is being sought. The case is being investigated, and what happened isn’t entirely clear.
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“Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime, and this is being investigated as a homicide,” he said.
Police had no prior indication that the protest would lead to any sort of violence, and it was determined that an extensive police presence wasn’t needed.
“This event was not preventable,” Fryhoff said.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young added that the manner of death being ruled a homicide does not mean a crime was committed.
The injuries were consistent with those sustained from a fall, including skull fractures and brain trauma. Kessler’s cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma. Kessler was rushed to the hospital after his fall, and he was conscious on the journey there and when he was contacted by police while at the hospital. Hours later, he succumbed to his injuries.
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Authorities said it was unclear if a blow to the face caused Kessler’s fall.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, though the suspect was briefly detained and then released. The suspect, identified as a 50-year-old Moorpark, California, resident and Palestinian supporter, cooperated with the investigation and stayed at the scene of the fall for some time afterward.
