Investigators ‘Have Not Ruled Out a Hate Crime’ in Jewish Man’s Death in California

Loay Alnaji, 50, was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of battery causing serious bodily injury, with a special allegation added.

Authorities are continuing to investigate whether the man arrested for the death of Paul Kessler at a dual protest between Israel and Palestine supporters earlier this month will be charged with a hate crime, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced Nov. 17.

“We have not ruled out a hate crime,” Mr. Nasarenko said during a press conference Friday. “The investigation into an alleged hate crime is ongoing. There are still four search warrants that remain outstanding, the returns of which we are awaiting. But at this moment in time, we do not have the elements of a hate crime satisfied.”