First arrest by UCLA police in attack on protest camp

More than three weeks after counter-protesters attacked a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of California, Los Angeles, university police arrested the first person in connection with the attack: an 18-year-old who police said beat pro-Palestinian protesters with a wooden pole.

UCLA police did not identify the man by name, but arrest records show he is Edan On, who faces one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

On’s mother told CNN last week that he was a high school student and planned to join the Israeli army.

Videos of the April 30 attack on the camp show a man wearing a light-colored hoodie and a white mask charging at several protesters with a pole. His mother told CNN the man in the videos was her son, but later told the network he denied being there.

Mr. On was arrested at a Beverly Hills store on Thursday morning, police said. Jail records show bail was set at $30,000.

UCLA police were under great pressure to identify and charge the counter-protesters involved in the April 30 attack. Police had allowed the attack to continue for several hours without intervening.

The next night, UCLA called in city police and other officials to help clear the camp. More than 200 protesters who refused to leave were arrested.

The chief of the UCLA Police Department was temporarily relieved of his duties in response to the incident, and the university is currently investigating its response to the April 30 attack.

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block testified before a congressional committee on Thursday about his handling of student protests on campus. During the hearing, he was intensively questioned by Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who wanted to know why none of the counter-protesters involved in the April 30 attack were arrested.

“Are any of these people in prison?” she asked.

Jail records indicate that Mr. On was arrested during Dr. Block’s testimony, but his arrest was not publicly announced until Friday.

Jonathan Wolfe reported from Los Angeles. Alain Delaquérière made a research contribution.