Arrest made in death of Jewish man at Israel-Hamas war protest in Southern California

A 50-year-old Moorpark man was arrested Thursday, Nov. 16, on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter concerning the fatal injury of a 69-year-old Jewish man who apparently fell backward with his head striking the ground during dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations earlier this month in Thousand Oaks.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji was expected to be booked into jail and held in lieu of $1 million bail, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said.

Paul Kessler, 69, was found suffering on the afternoon of Nov. 5, a Sunday, bleeding from his head and mouth at Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards, according to authorities and witness accounts.

The Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the case.

On Thursday, it asked that anyone driving in the area of the confrontation in a car with video-recording equipment between 3 and 4 p.m. to contact the agency. If a witness wants to remain anonymous, he or she can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.