Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 18-year-old Emilio Antonio DeLeon was charged with one count of assault in the second degree following a disturbance that occurred during a mass demonstration outside the Multnomah County Circuit Courthouse.
According to court documents, on May 30, 2020, at approximately 7 p.m., there was a crowd near the intersection of Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Salmon Street. The crowd was protesting the death of George Floyd. Law enforcement reviewed video that captured this incident.
The video shows a person holding an American flag near the intersection of Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Salmon Street, according to court documents. During this investigation, law enforcement learned an unknown person wearing a black T-shirt assaulted the individual holding the American flag. After the assault, several people joined and appeared to be pulling at the flag.
According to court documents, DeLeon and a 14 year old male approached someone who was attempting to help the man holding the flag.
The bystander started to run away when confronted by DeLeon and the 14 year old male, according to court documents.
DeLeon chased and then punched the victim in the right side of his head with his fist, according to court documents.
The victim immediately fell to the ground and appeared to be unconscious as a result of DeLeon’s punch, according to court documents.
With the victim motionless on the ground, the 14 year old male stepped toward and forcefully kicked the victim in the head as if he was kicking a soccer ball, according to court documents.
DeLeon, the 14 year old male and another unknown individual all ran from the scene, according to court documents.
Video and images from this incident were uploaded to the internet. Multiple tips were forwarded to the Portland Police Bureau as a result.
On June 4, 2020, police arrested the 14 year old.
On June 7, 2020, law enforcement located and arrested DeLeon in the 6800 block of North Cutter Circle in Portland, Oregon.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office continues to work with law enforcement to identify and investigate any criminal conduct that occurred during past mass demonstrations. We will initiate a criminal case following a review of all available evidence and whenever legally and ethically appropriate, pursuant to state and constitutional law.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. DeLeon is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pursuant to ORS 419A.255, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is unable to provide the name, date of birth, the crime(s) alleged in any juvenile petition, the names and addresses of the minor’s parents/guardians, whether the youth is employed or in school, and/or the time and place in which the youth was taken into custody.