PORTLAND, Ore. — An early Saturday morning attack in the Old Town neighborhood of Portland is being investigated as a bias crime.
The attack was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Three men approached the victim while the victim was smoking a cigarette at Southwest Naito Parkway and Ash Street, according to Portland police.
The suspects made derogatory comments about the victim’s sexual orientation and gender identity, police said. One suspect threw an empty aluminum can at the victim’s head and a struggle ensued, according to police. The suspect then broke the windshield of the victim’s vehicle, police said.
The victim drove to Northwest 2nd Avenue and Davis Street to meet officers and report the attack. Officers searched the area of the confrontation but did not locate the suspects. They were described as three white men in their 20s.
The victim suffered minor injuries but did not need to be taken to the hospital, police said.
Anyone with information about the incident, including surveillance video, is asked to call police at 503-823-0479.
Under Oregon law, bias crimes are defined as any criminal act that targets a victim based on the suspect's perception of the victim's race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
More resources from the Portland Police Bureau:
If you have been the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 911. If you have been the victim of a different bias crime and the suspect is no longer present, such as vandalism or graffiti, please call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
To learn more about bias crime investigations and reported bias/hate crime statistics within the City of Portland, click here.
Additionally, the City of Portland is a partner in Portland United Against Hate, which is a community initiated partnership of Community Based Organizations, Neighborhood Associations, concerned communities and the City. To learn more, click here.
