In a tragic turn of events, a college professor has been arrested in connection with the death of Paul Kessler, a pro-Israel demonstrator who suffered a fatal head injury during a clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups in Thousand Oaks. The Ventura County District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko, addressed the filing of charges on Friday, revealing that the accused did not have the intent to kill Kessler.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, a 50-year-old professor at Moorpark College, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury. The incident occurred on November 5 at the intersection of Westlake and Thousands Oaks boulevards.

The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles initially alleged that Kessler was struck in the head by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protestor, leading some community members to assume it was a hate crime attack and calling for murder charges. However, the medical examiner stated that Kessler's fatal injury resulted from hitting his head on the pavement.

During a news conference, District Attorney Nasarenko emphasized the seriousness of the case and affirmed that the investigation was conducted thoroughly and with an open mind. He stated that there was no evidence to suggest that the defendant arrived at the intersection with the intent to harm or injure anyone. As a result, a murder charge was not filed.

The incident, which was captured on video and shared on social media, showed Kessler lying on the ground while being attended to by several individuals, including at least one pro-Palestinian demonstrator. Despite being transported to the hospital, Kessler tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The arrest of Alnaji, a respected college professor, shocked the community and raised questions about the volatile nature of the demonstrations. It serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful and respectful discourse, especially during times of tense political conflicts.

As the legal proceedings continue, the community mourns the loss of Paul Kessler and hopes for a fair and just resolution for all parties involved.