California Rabbi Charged With Murder After Allegedly Mowing Down Costco Worker
Prosecutors allege Abba Avrohom Bryski intentionally drove his car into Nicholas Lang, who was painting lines at a gas station.
A rabbi from Agoura Hills, California, has been charged with murder for allegedly intentionally striking and killing a Costco worker with his car last week. Abba Avrohom Bryski, 35, faces felony murder charges and charges of resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer.
Prosecutors stated that Bryski drove his Infiniti Q60 coupe into Nicholas Lang, 28, who was painting stripes on the pavement at the gas station of a Camarillo Costco on Oct. 20. Emergency services responded to the scene just after 8:30 p.m. and transported Lang to Ventura County Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
"His life was tragically cut short by an individual whose alleged actions demonstrated a shocking disregard for human life," said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko in a statement. "We are committed to holding the defendant accountable and pursuing justice for the victim and his loved ones."
Bryski appeared in court on Tuesday, and his arraignment has been continued to November 18. He is currently being held without bail, according to the district attorney’s office. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed if Bryski and Lang knew each other.
Jail records list Bryski as a rabbi and educator. He is reportedly the son of Rabbi Moshe Bryski, who leads Chabad of the Conejo. However, the broader Chabad-Lubavitch organization has stated that the younger Bryski does not hold an official position within the movement.
The fatal incident occurred at a newly opened Costco warehouse location. The attached gas station had been operational since May, while the retail store was scheduled to open later in October.
An obituary notice created for Nicholas Lang, who was originally from Modesto, has invited donations to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in his honor. These trees will help restore forests affected by the 2021 Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon. The notice includes numerous photos of Lang, many with his wife, Faith Miller, and a child. Some depict a marriage proposal and visits to an adventure park.
One tribute on the obituary site reads, "In loving memory of Nicholas, who will be missed by so many. May this tree grow tall and strong as a living tribute to the beautiful soul that touched so many lives."