We talk a lot about the vulnerability of people living on Portland’s streets—nearly 40 percent of homeless people in Portland report being the victim of an assault.

But incidents like the one the police report today make the statistics feel more real. At about 2 am Tuesday night, officers responded to a house on SE 47th and Woodstock after a resident phoned in that a bloody man had appeared on her porch and asked her to call 911. Police found the man, Adin Templin, suffering from a head injury. From the report:

Templin told police that he had been setting up his sleeping bag in Woodstock Park when he was hit in the back of the head by an unknown person. Officers checked the park and located a crime scene as well as a group of people who had knowledge of the assault. Officers also located two additional victims that were assaulted at Southeast 48th Avenue and Woodstock Boulevard, 34-year-old Stacey Eaton and 34-year-old Albert John Schenedler. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

Officers continued to investigate and were able to determine that 20-year-old Elijah Lawson and a 13-year-old male were involved in the assault.

Hurting homeless people: Never funny, never okay.

Sarah Shay Mirk reported on transportation, sex and gender issues, and politics at the Mercury from 2008-2013. They have gone on to make many things, including countless comics and several books.

7 replies on “Ugh. Two Arrested for Assaults of Homeless People.”

  2. Well, I searched Mr. Lawson and unfortunately ended up on KATU’s site with their stellar comment providers. But, I did notice one of the anonymous comments claimed that at least one of the assault victims tries to ply young neighborhood girls with meth and booze and that the 13 year old arrested is the sister of once such girl. Could be BS, but would that change the narrative?

  4. DamosA, my goddamned points are thus: 1) I’m surprised that this murder was not reported in the Mercury; perhaps the Mercury should talk more about the vulnerabilities of people who help those who are on streets; and 2) people suck.

    What’s your problem? You seem pissed at me.

  5. Maybe they didn’t report it because; it was already reported by Oregonlive?
    I always thought it was just common sense not to bring home strangers; alas in this dead woman’s case; it wasn’t so common since she had no problem doing it.
    It’s sad that she trusted someone she didn’t know; why did she do this? Was she lonely? Did she want some company at home? Who knows! She went out of her way to try to help a stranger; but she ultimately went too far and it cost her; her life. Sadly.

    Just because that happened; it doesn’t mean that homeless people in general are murderers; that they don’t need help; but bringing strangers home is not the safest thing to do; especially when you live alone.

  6. So, uh, would it be callow to observe how difficult it must be to discern between homeless and hipsters that close to Reed College?

  7. chicostix – Yeah, it’s super sad. A friend of mine lives in that building. It sounded like a very disturbing and sad situation. Dunno why she allowed him to stay there. I’m guessing he earned her trust, and she wanted to help him get on his feet by giving him a safer place to stay. But who knows.

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