Tensions flared in Newton, Massachusetts, on Thursday when a Hamas supporter attacked a pro-Israel protester, resulting in the attacker being shot. The incident was captured on video and is now the subject of an ongoing investigation.
The confrontation began when the Hamas supporter shouted from across the street, accusing Israel of “genocide” and making exaggerated claims about the number of Palestinian deaths. When one of the pro-Israel demonstrators responded verbally, the Hamas supporter charged across the street and tackled him.
What the Hamas supporter didn’t realize was that the man he attacked was an Iraq War veteran and legal gun owner. After a struggle on the ground, the veteran pulled his gun and shot the attacker in the stomach. It is not yet clear if the discharge was accidental or deliberate.
The wounded man received medical attention from bystanders, including the man he had attacked. He was later taken to a hospital where he is now in stable condition. Police detained the veteran for questioning, and authorities are determining whether his use of force was justified under state law.
Massachusetts has strict gun laws, which could complicate the case. Typically, a person cannot use a firearm in response to a fistfight unless they are in immediate danger. However, given that the Hamas supporter initiated the attack, the Iraq War veteran may argue he acted in self-defense.
