Mass. pro-Israel rally descends into chaos as demonstrator shoots anti-Israel agitator who tackled him
Shocking video shows a man wearing a Palestinian flag pin racing across a road to tackle a veteran for supporting Israel — just to be shot in the stomach during a brawl to get him off.
The unidentified attacker was filmed shouting across a street in Newton, Massachusetts, at a small group proudly holding an Israeli flag — telling them they are “sick” for “defending genocide.”
As the group defends themselves from his verbal attacks, the unidentified man suddenly sprints across the road — and launches himself at one of the group, identified by cops as Scott Hayes.
Several other protesters joined in an attempt to free Hayes, 47, from the man’s clutches, video from Daily Wire journalist Kassy Akiva showed.
Two other men stomped on the man’s face and neck and tried to pull him off, the video showed.
Eventually, Hayes — an Iraq war veteran — pulled a gun from his shorts, according to authorities, although it was not clear from the video if he shot the man or if the gun went off during the fight.
When the attacker finally let go, Hayes could be heard urging onlookers to “call 911,” and even telling one of the women yelling at the man to “stop, go away,” according to a second video.
Hayes then helped the man get his shirt off and had him lie down on the pavement while they waited for paramedics.
Hayes is not Jewish, but frequently goes to pro-Israel protests carrying American and Israeli flags, others at the scene told Akiva.
Police responded to the brawl at 6:40 p.m.
Hayes, of Framingham, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as violation of a constitutional right causing injury.
He is believed to have legally owned the firearm used in the shooting, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said, according to WCVB.
Hayes appeared before a judge during his arraignment on Friday.
His bail was set at $5,000. During the proceedings, Hayes told the judge that he works as a contractor, NBC10 Boston said.
The attacker who ran across the street was identified as a 31-year-old from Newton. They are expected to survive their injuries, which were previously described as “life threatening,” NBC10 added.
The Middlesex County DA’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for an update on the case, including whether the man seen starting the fight would also be charged.
Witnesses said the fight was chaotic and upsetting — and some expressed frustration that Hayes was facing charges at all.
“If it is the way we think it happened, that they were attacked, it’s just one more proof of the problematic ways of those antisemitic and anti-Israeli way of action,” Shaul Brechman told NBC10 Boston.
“I hope that whatever unfolded here that everyone’s OK and it’s daunting to see. It’s too — honestly, it’s really too bad. I just hope everyone’s OK,” witness Sam O’Brien agreed.
Another witness, Dave Sherman, told WCVB that the man who was shot was “really tough to take down.”
“He was really determined. He was really hateful,” he said.
Hayes’ supporters have already started a GoFundMe to cover his legal costs.
The GoFundMe claimed that the gun “went off” while Hayes was “wrestling” with the other man.
As of Friday morning, the campaign had already raised over $54,000 of its $72,000 goal.
Acting Newton Chief of Police George McMains appealed to the public to provide any additional information — including photos and videos of what happened — to the investigators.
“The Newton police department will be providing extra patrols at the houses of worship over the next several days as well as beyond if we feel that’s appropriate or necessary,” McMains added.
