On Monday, September 17, 2018, at 4:30 p.m., Central Precinct officers responded to the Portland Food Mart, located at 2419 Southeast Powell Boulevard, on the report a person had been stabbed.
Officers arrived and contacted the adult female victim and learned she had been stabbed while she was at Powell Park, located at 3549 Southeast 26th Avenue. After the victim was stabbed she walked to the Portland Food Mart for help and access to a phone.
The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel and did not require transport by ambulance to an area hospital.
During the investigation, officers learned two suspects approached the victim. One of the suspects hit the victim with a stick and the other stabbed her with what was described as an ice pick. During the assault the suspects made derogatory comments about the victim's sexual orientation.
Based on information learned at this time, investigators believe this may be a bias crime related to the person's sexual orientation.
Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspects during the search. The suspects were described as two black males in their mid to late teens. One of the suspects was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt and the other suspect wore blue jeans and a red hooded sweatshirt.
The Portland Police Bureau Detective Division's Bias Crime Detail is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information, including video surveillance footage, of this incident should contact Bias Crime Detail Detective Paul Dolbey at 503-823-0451 or Paul.Dolbey@portlandoregon.gov
The Bureau investigates all reports of bias-motivated crimes and encourages any member of our community who is the victim of such a crime to contact law enforcement. 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. Detectives work to determine whether or not bias elements are present during the reported crime that align with Oregon law as defined in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):
* ORS 166.165 - Intimidation in the First Degree - https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.165
* ORS 166.155 - Intimidation in the Second Degree - https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.155
If you have been the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. 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, please visit https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/77066
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, please visit https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/72583
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