Killing of Paul Kessler

Paul Kessler, 69, was a Jewish American man from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who had lived a life described as devoted to progressive politics and support for Israel. He worked as a medical salesperson, was married for 43 years, and had a son. Prior to the events described below, Kessler had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

On November 5, 2023, dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrations related to the Gaza war took place at a street intersection in Thousand Oaks, California, drawing roughly 75 to 100 participants from two groups, "Freedom for Palestine" and "We are Pro-Israel." Police patrolling the area reported no signs of violence approximately fifteen minutes before an altercation occurred. Kessler and a pro-Palestinian supporter were reportedly involved in a confrontation, during which Kessler fell backward and struck his head on the ground. Reports indicated Kessler had been struck in the face with a megaphone; prosecutors later presented DNA evidence showing Kessler's blood on the rim of a megaphone allegedly held by Loay Alnaji. The county medical examiner, Dr. Othon Mena, testified that Kessler died from blunt force trauma resulting from the blow and the subsequent fall. Alnaji's attorney stated that Kessler had gotten in the faces of several pro-Palestinian protesters and put his phone in Alnaji's face, and disputed that Alnaji caused the fall, saying Alnaji was six to eight feet away when Kessler fell.

Responding deputies and EMS found Kessler conscious on the ground around 3:20 p.m.; Alnaji remained at the scene and had called 911. Kessler, bleeding from the head and mouth, was taken to a hospital where he remained responsive before dying early the next morning, November 6, 2023.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office described conflicting witness accounts and inconclusive surveillance footage. Investigators reviewed more than 600 pieces of evidence and interviewed over 60 witnesses before an arrest was made. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, noting injuries consistent with a fall, including skull fractures, brain swelling, and bruising, along with nonlethal facial injuries.

On November 16, 2023, Alnaji, a 50-year-old computer science professor at Moorpark College, was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and battery, with bail set at $1 million; he pleaded not guilty the next day, and bail was reduced to $50,000. Prosecutors stated in May 2024 that while antisemitic hate speech was heard at the rally, there was no evidence Alnaji spoke those words, and no hate-crime charge was filed. In June 2024, Alnaji pleaded not guilty to both felony charges. On May 5, 2026, one week before his scheduled trial, he changed his plea to guilty on both counts. In July 2026, he was sentenced to one year in county jail followed by two years of probation; the Ventura County prosecutor objected, arguing the case warranted state prison incarceration.

Kessler's death prompted public reactions from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and led to increased patrols by the Sheriff's Office near Muslim and Jewish community sites. Memorials and vigils were held at the site of the incident.