An Agoura Hills rabbi has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a man in the parking lot of a Southern California wholesale club, according to authorities and jail records.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies received a call Tuesday night regarding a man who had been struck by a vehicle near the gas pumps at the Costco location in Camarillo. Court records identify the victim as 28-year-old Nicholas Lang of Modesto. Emergency personnel transported Lang to a hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead. The Ventura County medical examiner’s office stated Friday evening that it could not immediately provide details regarding his cause and manner of death.
Witnesses at the scene directed responding deputies to the driver of the vehicle, identified as Abba Bryski. Authorities detained Bryski at the location before officially arresting and booking him into the Ventura County Jail. Jail records indicate Bryski was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday and booked shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday. His occupation is listed in the records as an educator and rabbi.
The criminal complaint filed against Bryski includes two primary charges: one count of felony murder and one count of resisting, obstructing, or delaying an officer. Prosecutors also added a special allegation to the complaint stating that Bryski utilized a deadly and dangerous weapon, specifically identifying a 2017 Infiniti Q60 coupe as the vehicle involved.
Vianey Valdez, an executive assistant for the Ventura County district attorney’s office, confirmed that Bryski is being held without bail. An attorney representing Bryski could not be reached for comment on Friday evening, and his arraignment is scheduled for Monday.
The Camarillo Costco facility where the incident occurred features a 32-pump gas station that began operating in May, though the main warehouse warehouse has not yet opened to shoppers. Its grand opening was previously planned for Oct. 30. Representatives for Costco were unavailable for comment regarding whether the homicide investigation would impact the scheduled opening date.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau is leading the ongoing homicide investigation. Authorities have urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact Detective Erik Hernandez or Detective Gerardo Cruz.
