Portland Police are on the lookout for information from the public concerning an alleged bias crime in the Buckman neighborhood after a suspect reportedly assaulted a teenager with racial slurs and spit, the department revealed Thursday.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of December 29, 2023, when Central Precinct officers were called to a disturbance near East Burnside Street and Southeast 28th Avenue, a suspect had confronted a 16-year-old girl, hurling racial slurs and spitting on her and her 11-year-old brother as they attempted to walk away, the offense, occurring nearer to Southeast 24th Avenue, prompted a swift police response though the perpetrator eluded capture at the scene.
In a statement obtained by the Portland Police Bureau, "officers confirmed no one was injured at the scene, but that the case was a potential bias crime incident as the suspect subjected the victims to offensive physical contact based on the suspect’s perception of the victims’ race." The incident has since been escalated, drawing the attention of the Major Crimes Unit dedicated to investigating such hate crimes.
Despite the best efforts by the investigators, identification, and apprehension of the suspect remain unsuccessful. The police are reaching out to the community for any leads, as the perpetrator's actions that day not only spat upon the bodies of these youths but on the very notion of civility and human respect. The officials urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in resolving this loathsome act.
