Los Angeles, California – A pro-Israeli counterprotester was apprehended by UCLA police after allegedly assaulting individuals at a campus protest encampment with a wooden pole. The 18-year-old individual, not affiliated with the university, was taken into custody in Beverly Hills on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon. This marks the first arrest of a counterprotester involved in the violent altercation that occurred on April 30.
Authorities utilized witness statements, victim interviews, and security footage from the pro-Palestinian demonstration to identify the suspect. The man, identified as Edan On, was previously recognized by CNN for his involvement in the incident. On-Siboni, the mother of the arrested individual, shared details on social media but declined to comment following the arrest.
The violence on April 30 prompted an independent review of the university’s response to campus unrest, resulting in the removal of Campus Police Chief John Thomas. UCLA students had set up a new encampment, leading to further tensions between protesters and counterprotesters. Amid nationwide protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict, over 200 individuals were arrested at UCLA in early May during clashes with law enforcement.
In the wake of the incident, Chancellor Gene Block faced scrutiny from members of Congress regarding the handling of complaints related to antisemitism on campus. The UCLA Police Department remains committed to investigating all acts of violence associated with the protests and counter-protests that occurred in late April and early May. The investigations are currently ongoing, with the aim of identifying additional perpetrators of violence.