A man faces felony assault and bias crime charges, plus several misdemeanor charges, after a disturbance in the Old Town Neighborhood.
On Saturday, February 10, 2024, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) responded to a report of a fire at the area of Northwest 6th Avenue and Northwest Glisan Street for a male subject who had lit some clothing on fire.
While PF&R units were on-scene, they witnessed the same subject assault another male bystander, cutting the bystander with a pair of scissors (photo) and biting him while calling him racial slurs. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries. The case is being investigated as bias crime as the suspect subjected the victims to physical injury and placed the victim in fear of imminent serious physical injury based on the suspect’s perception of the victims’ race.
At 1:47p.m., Portland Police officers were dispatched and arrived on-scene less than a minute later. They arrested the subject, who subsequently spit on one of the arriving officers.
The Portland Police Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. They booked Corey A. Nesenson, 42, of Portland, on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Bias Crime in the First Degree, Aggravated Harassment, Reckless Burning, and Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Detectives believe that the suspect may have chased after a bi-racial couple and called them racial slurs just prior to the assault. Those potential victims have not been located, and are asked to come forward. In addition, Detectives want to speak with any other witnesses who may have seen or recorded Nesenson’s actions. Please contact Detective Brett Hawkinson at brett.hawkinson@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 24-33521.
The Portland Police 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.portland.gov/police/open-data/reported-bias-crime-statistics .
Photo description:
1 small pair of scissors with silver metal blades and light green plastic handle
Another view of the scissors, with blades spread
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