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News Release
Assault Being Investigated as Potential Bias Crime, Request For Information From Public - 09/16/19

Portland Police detectives are requesting help from the public as they investigate a potential bias crime that was reported in downtown Portland last week.

On Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 2:30a.m., Central Precinct Officers were dispatched to a report of an assault in a parking lot in the 300 Block of West Burnside Street. When they arrived they located three victims who said they had been assaulted by a group that had left. Officers attempted to locate the suspects but they had already left the area.

Upon investigating, the officers learned one of the victims was transgender and there were elements of the crime that possibly met the criteria for a Bias Crime. Officers notified the Bias Crime Detail and the case is now assigned to a detective.

Investigators are requesting that if anyone was a witness to this incident and has not spoken to police, has information about it, or video evidence, to contact Detective Shaye Samora at Shaye.Samora@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0416 and reference Case #19-314989.

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, gender identity 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 -- Bias crime in the First Degree - https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.165
* ORS 166.155 -- Bias crime 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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