Beverly Hills, California – An 18-year-old Beverly Hills resident has been recently released on bail after being arrested for his alleged involvement in a violent attack on pro-Palestine protesters at UCLA. Edan On, a senior at Beverly Hills High School, was taken into custody by the University of California Police Department for suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon on May 23 and subsequently booked at Men’s Central Jail in Downtown Los Angeles. He posted a $30,000 bail the following day.
The Beverly Hills Unified School District has faced criticism for remaining silent on On’s enrollment status and his actions, as cited under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The Council on American Islamic Relations in Los Angeles (CAIR-LA) expressed concerns regarding the district’s response, highlighting a perceived lack of regard for the safety and well-being of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students within BHUSD.
CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Managing Attorney, Dina Chehata, condemned BHUSD’s inaction, noting reports of anti-Palestinian sentiment and discrimination within the school environment. Families of On’s victims from the UCLA attack have reached out to CAIR-LA, expressing concerns about the ongoing presence of the accused student on campus. The organization has urged BHUSD to take disciplinary measures against On, including expulsion and barring him from attending the upcoming Beverly Hills High School graduation.
In response to the criticisms, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy emphasized the district’s commitment to fostering a safe educational environment for all students. He reiterated the school’s condemnation of violence and stressed the importance of promoting dialogue and education to broaden students’ understanding of complex global issues.
On is the first suspect to be arrested in connection with the April 30 attack on the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment. While his initial court date was reported as May 28 by the LA Sheriff’s Department Inmate Information Center, it has since been rescheduled to June 21. Details of the criminal case against On were not accessible in the Los Angeles Superior Court online record system at the time of reporting. The ongoing developments surrounding this incident continue to draw attention and raise questions about accountability and safety within the educational community.