Hollywood_Station.jpg
Visitor7 / Wikimedia Commons

Details are still coming in regarding a heinous crime this afternoon at Northeast Portland’s Hollywood Transit Center.

Two were killed and another was wounded after a man on an eastbound MAX train shouted “various remarks that would best be characterized as hate speech toward a variety of ethnicities and religions,” according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).

At around 4:30 pm, police received calls regarding the disturbance on the MAX, which at some point involved the suspect directing slurs at two women.

“Witnesses described to police two young women, possibly Muslim, who were on the train at the time of the disturbance and attack, but left prior to police arrival,” according to the police report. “The young women have not been identified but one was described as wearing a hijab.”

“In the midst of his ranting and raving, some people approached him and appeared to try to intervene with his behavior and some of the people that he was yelling at,” Portland police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson told the Oregonian. “They were attacked viciously.”

After at least two of those people attempted to intervene, the subject stabbed three people.

Officers “began immediate medical treatment to the victims at the scene until medical personnel arrived,” according to the PPB. “One victim, an adult male, died at the scene. The other two victims were transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital, where one was pronounced dead and the other was treated for injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening.”

Police have detained the suspect, and note there is “there is no further public risk.” Simpson told the Oregonian that police believe the event to be “an isolated incident.”

Police are still investigating, and urge witnesses or those with more information to call their non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

We’ll have more as this story develops.

UPDATE 10:25 PM: The FBI has responded to today’s attack, “offering any resource that may assist Portland Police in their investigation.” From their statement:

FBI Response to Homicide Investigation – 05/26/17

The FBI is aware of the attacks tonight, and we are offering any resource that may assist Portland Police in their investigation. We will certainly be looking at the facts and evidence as the investigation unfolds to determine whether there is any potential federal violation.

At the core of the FBI’s mission is the belief that every person has the right to live, work and worship in this country without fear. Hate and bigotry have no place in our community, and we will not allow violence in the name of hate to go unanswered.

UPDATE 10:47 PM: A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Saturday night to pay tribute to those who died in the attack. From Facebook:

Gather with Portland Indivisible D-3 for a peaceful candlelight vigil to honor the upstanders who were attacked and murdered on a MAX train Friday for trying to intervene as a man yelled racial slurs at two young women, one who was wearing a hijab.

“We ask that our community come together in love and solidarity in the face of this horror to honor the memory of the victims and in support of those in our city and nation who feel terrorized and targeted,” said Laurel Carrasco with Portland Indivisible D-3.

Please help us spread the word and bring your own candle to the event.

That’s tomorrow, Saturday May 27, from 8:30 pm-9:30 pm 6:30 pm -9:30 pm, at the Hollywood/Northeast 42nd Avenue Transit Center MAX Station, 1410 NE 42nd.

UPDATE 11:04 PM:

With honor and distinction, Erik Henriksen served as the executive editor of the Portland Mercury from 2004 to 2020. He can now be found at henriksenactual.com.

2 replies on “Following Hate Speech, Two Dead and One Wounded at Hollywood Transit Center”

  1. This is Domestic Terrorism plain and simple. Consciously or subliminally this attack will make people think twice, or at least hesitate, before speaking up against hate and standing with those who are targeted. Whether the attacker turns out to have been deranged, a far-right racist nutcase, or a mixture of both the attack will still have the same outcome: instilling terror. For the sake of those who sacrificed themselves we can not let this fear prevent us from stepping in and speaking up where we see hate. Don’t allow this terrorism to turn you into a silent observer, thats how they win. Stand strong, speak up, and fight back.

  2. Logan5, I can hardly imagine a more crass and heartless way to respond to this tragedy. Whatever your views on other articles in the Mercury, your decision to broadcast them here, as people organize to mourn two incredibly brave young people murdered in an act of terrorism, is an utter disgrace.

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