As noted in the news this weekend, police arrested a 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old man this weekend after what appears to be an attempted gay bashing.

Shawn Siefke and Christian Sanchez-Villavencio, 21, were booked on felony assault this weekend an altercation downtown. Siefke is also charged with intimidation. According to reports from police and friends of the gay man, Siefke and another man approached a guy leaving Embers bar and asked him for directions. After the club-goer gave them directions, Siefke and Sanchez-Villavencio started harassing the man and calling him gay slurs. A passerby, ("a good Samaritan," as the police report says) intervened and was assaulted. When police arrived, the Good Samaritan dude was taken to the hospital and later released with non-life-threatening injuries.

Siefke's booking photo, meanwhile, is a prime candidate for Busted:

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I'm not 100 percent sure it's the same guy, but he matches the description of a Portland-based Mixed Martial Arts fighter named Shawn Siefke. He also has a previous arrest for assault, in November 2010, but the charge was dismissed.

As we reported after the last anti-gay assault in Portland just a few weeks ago, reports of hate crimes in the city have significantly declined this year, with anti-gay crimes making up 44 percent of reports. More reporting on anti-gay hate crimes here and here.

Thanks to Graham for the MMA heads up!