Portland Rioters Assault Driver—Possibly a Good Samaritan

A man received serious injuries after rioters assaulted him during Portland, OR’s, 80th night of urban unrest on Aug. 16—allegedly for his good Samaritan act. The Associated Press reports that, “Witnesses told police the man had been helping a transgender female who had an item of hers stolen, and he was dragged out of the car and beaten by nine or 10 people.” The victim was treated at an area hospital and is expected to recover.

The Oregonian posted video coverage of the attack, which is below. The footage is graphic and contains language unsuitable for young audiences.

Coverage of the assault by The Hill indicates, “Portland police said officers responded to a report of an injury accident, adding that protesters chased the truck before it crashed and assaulted the driver afterward.” Rioters hampered efforts to get to the victim, forcing the dispatch of a law enforcement rapid response team to clear the scene.

One of the perpetrators was allegedly wearing a “security” shirt, although organizers of a peaceful march staged earlier in the day in another part of the city quickly denounced the violence by issuing a statement to the Portland Mercury. “We want the public to know that we’re not those folks beating people up and robbing them… It’s a stain on the moment,” Danialle James, an organizer with Moms United for Black Lives told the reporter.

The website also provides more detail on the theft that likely prompted the victim’s Good Samaritan effort. “Videos taken of the incident show the woman arguing with a group of people on the sidewalk outside 7-11, then someone grabbing her skateboard and backpack,” it explains. “She is hit and shoved by several others in the group.”

Several law enforcement officers were injured in separate clashes with rioters on Aug. 16, many requiring medical attention. Portland Police Bureau manpower was stretched thin, prompting it to issue a warning that, “At the time of this release over 60 calls for police service were holding around the city. Some had been holding for the length of the events described here. Call types ranged from theft, vandalism, suspicious activity, hazards, hit and run, burglary, violation of restraining order, alarms, stolen cars, harassment and many others.”

There was no official word on how long response to the 911 calls was delayed. The incident comes at a time when the riots are migrating into the suburbs, at least one organizer has termed the violence and looting “reparations” and some protesters have turned to using guns to block roads.

Update: The person law enforcement was investigating as the primary attacker in this assault turned himself in to Portland Police on Aug. 21.