A man is behind bars charged with felony assault and bias crimes after a violent confrontation in Portland. 29-year-old Zachary T. Hay is accused of using a racial slur and siccing his dog on a Black security officer on May 12, resulting in the victim suffering serious chest and hand injuries. Hay faces two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and a count of Bias Crime in the First Degree, authorities confirmed.
An additional victim, a white male, was also injured during the incident, which took place in the 1300 block of Southwest Alder Street. Following an assignment to the Major Crimes Unit on May 13, Hay was apprehended by detectives who were conveniently on-site when one of the victims recognized him on May 20. They aided Central Precinct officers in making the arrest, as noted in a press release from the Portland Police Bureau.
The attack, initially flying under the radar, has now rippled through the community as an egregious act of violence tinged with racial animus. Hay's dog, an unwilling cohort in the assault, has been taken to Multnomah County Animal Services. Detectives are now turning their focus to a possible third individual who is believed to have clashed with Hay and his animal companion, suffering significant harm in the process. Photos of Hay and his dog have been released in the hope of encouraging this unnamed victim—or any others who may have suffered at their hands—to step forward.
In a turn of events that speaks to the suspected pervasiveness of Hay's actions, the Major Crimes Unit of Portland is broadening its search for additional victims. The unit suspects that the pattern of aggressive behavior displayed by Hay could indicate others have been harassed or harmed. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement urging potential victims or witnesses to come forward with any relevant information, as detailed in the Portland Police Bureau's official communication.
