Iraq War Vet Released On Bail After Being Charged For Shooting Anti-Israel Attacker

Scott Hayes, 47, was arraigned and will be released on a $5,000 bail after he was arrested on Thursday for shooting a man with a pro-Palestinian pin who charged through traffic and tackled him in Newton, Massachusetts.

Hayes pleaded not guilty in the Newton District Court to the charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He is required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and abide by a curfew that will allow him to continue working as a contractor.

Hayes spoke briefly in court, answering the judge’s question about how often he attends religious services, according to sources in the courtroom. Hayes’ lawyers requested he be allowed to attend religious services, work, and legal and medical appointments. 

The judge ordered Hayes, an Iraq War veteran, to stay away from Newton and the man who attacked him, and to possess no weapons.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said Thursday night that Hayes would be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and violation of a constitutional right causing injury, though only the first charge was brought during the arraignment.

Prosecutors said they requested a criminal complaint to be filed against the man who tackled Hayes, which is currently pending in the clerk’s office.

The man who attacked Hayes has yet to be identified but sustained life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. 

In a video obtained by The Daily Wire, a man wearing the Palestinian pin stood on the opposite side of the street, yelling at a group of 10 protesters. He called them “sick” and accused them of “supporting genocide.”

The man then charged across the street in front of cars and tackled Hayes, who was preparing to leave before the attack. Moments later, while the attacker was on top of Hayes, the veteran shot the man in the stomach. Video shows Hayes placing the gun behind him on the pavement after the shot.

In another video, Hayes, who was holding American and Israeli flags throughout the protest, is seen telling bystanders to call 911 while tending to the wound of the man who attacked him.

Hayes legally owned the firearm he used during the altercation.

Support for Hayes has flown in, with a GoFundMe for his legal defense raising over $130,000 as of Friday afternoon.

“We stand with Scott Hayes, who was defending himself after being attacked by a pro-Hamas maniac in Massachusetts,” The Republican Jewish Coalition posted on X. 

Anti-Defamation League New England said it was “concerning” that “charges were immediately filed prior to completion of the investigation” in a statement on X.

Hayes frequently attends pro-Israel protests and rallies around New England to show his support for Israel and to call for the release of the 101 hostages currently held by Hamas in Gaza.