Protester’s Tragic Death Leads to Arrest: Alnaji Held on Involuntary Manslaughter Charge
California authorities have apprehended Loay Alnaji, 50, on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Jewish protester Paul Kessler.
The incident unfolded during an Israel-Palestine protest in Thousand Oaks, where Kessler, 69, tragically lost his life after a confrontation with Alnaji earlier this month.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for Alnaji’s arrest, has set his bond at $1 million.
Altercation Details and Autopsy Findings
According to witnesses, Kessler was struck by Alnaji’s megaphone, leading to a fatal fall that resulted in his head hitting the concrete sidewalk.
The autopsy confirmed that Kessler’s cause of death was the impact of the fall.
Eyewitnesses contradicted Alnaji’s claim that he was attempting to knock Kessler’s phone away, asserting that he had, in fact, punched him with the megaphone.
Calls for Video Evidence and Eyewitness Testimonies
Law enforcement is actively seeking any available video footage of the altercation, urging individuals who witnessed the incident to come forward.
Alnaji’s actions were recorded at the scene, where he asserted his intention to strike Kessler’s phone.
However, witnesses, including Kessler’s friend Jonathan Oswaks, dispute this account, describing the megaphone as a weapon in the assault.
Aftermath of the Incident and Alnaji’s Identity
In the aftermath of the altercation, videos captured Palestine supporters continuing their protest, some expressing antisemitic sentiments about Hitler.
Alnaji, a computer science professor at Ventura County Community College, remained at the scene after the incident and later cooperated with the police at his residence.
DailyMail.com was the first to disclose Alnaji’s identity.
This tragic event underscores the challenges faced during protests and the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the sequence of events leading to Paul Kessler’s untimely death.
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