A pro-Israel demonstrator in Newton, Massachusetts, shot a Hamas supporter who had tackled him during a protest on Thursday. The incident, caught on video, is under investigation as authorities try to determine if the shooting was in self-defense.
The altercation began when the Hamas supporter yelled accusations of “genocide” and inflated casualty numbers from the ongoing Gaza conflict. A verbal exchange ensued, after which the Hamas supporter ran across the street and tackled one of the pro-Israel protesters.
Unbeknownst to the attacker, the man he targeted was an Iraq War veteran carrying a legally owned firearm. During the struggle, the veteran drew his pistol and fired, hitting the Hamas supporter in the stomach. It is still unclear whether the shot was intentional or accidental.
The veteran and other bystanders provided medical help to the injured man until emergency services arrived. The Hamas supporter is now in stable condition at a local hospital. The Iraq War veteran was taken into police custody for questioning.
Massachusetts’ strict gun laws may present legal challenges for the veteran, as using a firearm in self-defense often depends on the circumstances. If the veteran can prove that he feared for his life, his actions may be legally justified. The investigation is ongoing as authorities examine what led to the confrontation.
