Charge against 1st arrest related to attacks on encampment changed to misdemeanor
Counter-protesters remove a barricade from the first pro-Palestine encampment. On Friday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced that the first arrest from the counter-protester attack will be filed as a misdemeanor. (Jeremy Chen/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Gabrielle Gillette
June 21, 2024 2:23 p.m.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
UCPD changed the charge of its first arrest in relation to the April 30 counter-protester attack on the first Palestine solidarity encampment from an alleged felony to a misdemeanor, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The arrested individual, Edan On, was referred to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office from the LA county DA for misdemeanor filing consideration Friday. The misdemeanor is a lesser offense than his original allegations for felony assault with a deadly weapon.
On allegedly assaulted the victim between 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. May 1 during the attack, according to the press release.
Aside from the known victim, no other victim or witness has reported a crime involving On, the press release said.
[RELATED: UCPD makes 1st arrest related to attacks on pro-Palestine encampment at UCLA]
The press release said after a thorough review of the incident, District Attorney George Gascón could not establish that On’s conduct directly caused the defendant’s injury and that there was no evidence to prove that On was working in collaboration with any other individuals.
“Given these factors, we believe that the appropriate course of action is to refer the matter to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, which will consider misdemeanor filing,” Gascón said in the press release. “This referral aligns with our commitment to applying the law fairly and ensuring that justice is served based on the available evidence.”
UCLA Media Relations did not respond in time for a request for comment.
