An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after attacking a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles. The suspect, identified as a senior at Beverly Hills High School, was recorded on video assaulting encampment occupants with a wooden pole on April 30.
The UCLA Police Department conducted an extensive investigation, which included reviewing security camera footage, social media posts, and conducting interviews with victims and witnesses. The suspect was seen joining counterprotesters at the UCLA campus, where he struck a pro-Palestinian protester with the pole, even continuing to do so when the victim was down.
The UCLA Police Department is actively working to identify other perpetrators of violence associated with protest or counter-protest activities between April 25 and May 2, 2024. The suspect's mother initially boasted about her son's participation in the violent event on social media but later claimed he was only defending himself when shown a video of the attack. She also denied that her son was present at UCLA that night.
Beverly Hills High School stated that, due to privacy concerns, they could not confirm or deny whether the suspect is a student there or if he will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. The school emphasized that attending graduation is a privilege, and students are expected to uphold the highest standards of behavior to take part in this significant milestone.
