A violent and shocking incident occurred outside a California nightclub when an Israeli-American man was deliberately struck by a furious Palestinian man, authorities confirmed.
Roy Gross, a 28-year-old who had been enjoying a night out with three friends in Laguna Beach, found himself in a heated argument with two men who claimed to be Palestinian-Iranian, as reported by Hebrew News, referencing the police account.
The confrontation escalated when the men began shouting insults at Israel and prevented Gross and his group from entering a taxi. According to witnesses, one of the attackers then got into his car and deliberately tried to run them over.
Gross sustained serious injuries, including a compound fracture to his leg.
“This is the first time I have encountered such violence,” Gross, who immigrated to the United States in 2014 after completing his service in the IDF, shared with Hebrew News from his hospital bed. “We tried to calm the conflict and avoid the confrontation, but the suspect acted maliciously and with intent to harm,” he added.
The police apprehended the assailant and are treating the event as a hate crime.
Despite the traumatic experience, Gross, an entrepreneur and music producer, appeared to maintain a positive attitude. A photo taken at the scene shows him flashing a “hang loose” gesture as paramedics loaded him into the ambulance.
Gross has already undergone one surgery to repair his broken leg and will need at least one more, according to Hebrew News.
{Matzav.com}