There’s been an arrest in connection with the death of a Jewish man following a confrontation at opposing Mideast war rallies in Thousand Oaks.
Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives say they arrested Loay Alnaji of Moorpark early Thursday morning for involuntary manslaughter. Bail has been set at a million dollars. He is a computer science professor at Moorpark College.
Investigators believe he was involved in a confrontation with Paul Kessler November 5 on Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks . They say Kessler fell or was knocked backwards. The 69-year-old man suffered a fatal head injury.
Ventura County prosecutors say they have been working with detectives to review the evidence in the case.
Alnaji was part of a free Palestine rally taking part at the same time as a pro-Israel event. Kessler was a pro-Israeli demonstrator.
Detectives have been trying to determine exactly what happened, but they haven’t released further details. They say they are still looking for video and witnesses.
The Ventura County Community College District issued a statement saying that effective immediately, Analji was been placed on paid administrative leave pending resolution of the charge.
