Criminal10/23/2026

Chabad Rabbi Arrested in California on Suspicion of Murder

Rabbi Abba Brisky, 35, was arrested after fatally striking a 28-year-old man near the Costco gas station in the city of Camarillo. Investigators have not yet said whether the collision was intentional or why the incident is being investigated as murder rather than as a fatal traffic accident.

Key facts

•Suspect: Abba Brisky, 35
•Deceased: a 28-year-old resident of Modesto
•Location: Camarillo, Ventura County, California
•Bail: $3 million
•The investigation is being conducted by the Major Crimes Unit of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office

What Happened

On Tuesday evening, police received a report that a pedestrian had been struck near the Costco gas pumps in Camarillo, northwest of Los Angeles. According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, eyewitnesses identified Brisky as the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident. Officers found him sitting in a car in the parking lot and subsequently arrested him.

The Suspect and the Deceased

Abba Brisky lives in Agoura Hills and is the son of Rabbi Moshe Brisky, one of Chabad's prominent leaders in Southern California. The victim—a 28-year-old resident of Modesto, California—was taken to the hospital in serious condition and later died. Authorities did not release his name.

What He Is Suspected Of

Brisky was arrested on suspicion of murder, as well as on suspicion of resisting an officer and obstructing the officer's work. Bail was set at $3 million. The source does not report that formal charges have been filed, that a judicial ruling has been issued on the merits of the case, or that the suspect has been convicted.

Why the Case Is Being Investigated as Murder

Investigators have not disclosed what occurred before the collision, whether there was a confrontation between the two men, or whether the driver acted intentionally. Under California law, a murder conviction does not always require proof of a direct intent to take a human life: in some cases, conscious disregard for a serious danger to life is sufficient. However, driving negligence alone is not enough to classify the act as murder.

What this means for you

The case is being adjudicated under California law and does not directly change the rights of Israeli residents. It illustrates that a fatal vehicle collision may be investigated as murder if investigators presume there was conscious disregard for a serious danger, but an arrest and suspicion alone do not indicate guilt.

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Case analysis based on court rulings