Caught on Camera: San Jose Police Probe Violent Altercation as Antisemitic Hate Crime

The San Jose Police Department is investigating a violent altercation at a popular shopping district as a possible antisemitic hate crime after a video circulated online showing multiple individuals attacking two victims in broad daylight.

Authorities said the incident occurred on the afternoon of 8 March in the upscale Santana Row shopping and dining district in San Jose, California. Officers responded to reports of a fight at around 3:38 p.m. in the 300 block of Santana Row, according to police.

Verbal Dispute Turned Physical Altercation

Upon initial investigation, it was found that three men confronted two individuals, and the exchange quickly escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical altercation. When the officers arrived, the men had fled. The victims were treated at the scene for minor injuries, per KRON San Francisco.

Investigators say the case is being handled by the SJPD Assaults Unit as a possible hate crime after the victims alleged that the suspects used antisemitic language during the attack. Mayor of San Jose, Matt Mahan, denounced the violent attack, calling it profoundly disturbing.

The mayor said, 'Antisemitism and any acts of hatred have no place in San Jose. Being able to talk about our differences and celebrate them, is what makes us the safest big city in America.' He also assured the public that the incident is being closely monitored.

'I have been in touch with our police department and leaders in the local Jewish community regarding this deeply disturbing incident and will continue to monitor the situation closely as the investigation continues,' he said.​

Video Shows Violent Confrontation

​Video footage recorded by bystanders shows multiple attackers punching and kicking a man who had fallen to the ground, while another suspect appeared to be restraining him by clutching his leg. Onlookers can be heard shouting for the attackers to stop, saying. 'Knock it off! Stop!' before they ultimately fled. One of the suspects could be heard saying, 'I got you, b—' as he fled.

​The altercation reportedly took place near the Augustine restaurant at Santana Row. The victims were reportedly waiting for a table when they were approached by would-be attackers. One of the victims, San Jose business owner Lior Zeevi, said he heard one of the suspects say 'f—ing Jew' as they were getting attacked.

​A witness, 21-year-old Keanu Kahrobaie, recalled seeing the suspects 'elbowing and beating' the two men for about 30 seconds. He said he had been on break when he saw the altercation, and that although it only lasted less than a minute, it felt longer than that.

​"Everybody was just in shock, and as far as I know they got away," the witness recalled. "This is just not a good representation of us as a people in the Bay Area. It's quite disgusting."

​Zeevi also told Jewish News of Northern California that he and Daniel Levy, the second victim, had been using Hebrew prior to the attack, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.

​US Rep. Sam Liccardo, a Democrat representing San Jose, took to social media to also denounce the assault. Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League's Central Pacific branch said in a statement that it was 'working closely' with San Jose police on the matter.