Smoke bombs were apparently set off outside the home of the President of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Thursday.
Video circulating on social media shows a group of around a dozen protestors holding what appear to be smoke bombs and blaring sirens in the street outside of Michael Tuchin’s Brentwood home on Thanksgiving day.
The video, posted by the account StopAntisemitism, was taken by a woman shouting towards her father, who was trying to break up the demonstration, to avoid physical confrontation.
At the end of the video, he was seen carrying an American flag towards the group.
Another video posted by StopAntisemitism shows what appears to be fake blood and fake dead babies in Tuchin’s driveway.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers were dispatched to the 11900 block of Foxboro Drive around 10:45 a.m. Thursday after protestors “appeared…and caused a disturbance.”
Israel-Hamas truce begins, and dozens of hostages and prisoners freed
“As soon as I look, I realize they were trashing my neighbor’s property and I tried to protect the property, letting them know it’s a private property — back up,” the man, who did not wish to be identified, said. “Unfortunately, they didn’t back up, so it got a little bit heated.”
Video of the incident shows the neighbor attempting to disperse the crowd but was instead hit by protestors in the back of his head.
He said he refuses to cower to hatred, especially in his own neighborhood.
“I think if we stay silent, it’s going to get worse and I won’t stay silent,” he said. “If I see someone using force, I will defend myself and defend my neighbor.”
Chief Moore confirmed early Friday afternoon that authorities are investigating the incident as a hate crime and that the department is collecting video evidence and other information to identify those responsible for “vandalism and assault on a neighbor.”
“It’s unfortunate that we’re reaching the end of the year, during the holiday season, where so many families are politically and religiously divided,” said Leslie Mayer, a neighbor. “Hopefully the splintering will come together in a healing way and not continue to drive people apart.”
Jacklin Tabesh, who lives close by, said she left Iran to escape religious persecution and is concerned to see what is happening in her own backyard.
“We came here to have freedom, to live nicely, peacefully, but this is not right,” Tabesh said. “To see this, the whole thing, is very concerning for me. Why should this happen in America?”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took to X, formerly Twitter, to address the incident, calling it “disturbing” and saying that she has spoken with both Tuchin and LAPD Chief Michel Moore.
“Hate and violence will not be tolerated in our city,” Bass said. “LAPD will continue to work with the city and business leaders to keep Angelenos safe.”
Crime reports for vandalism, hate crime and assault with a deadly weapon were taken, LAPD said. No arrests were made so far as the investigation continues.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
