Portland Police Bureau – 03/14/24 1:39 PM
A man is facing bias crime and assault charges following attacks in the Hazelwood Neighborhood.
On Monday, February 5, 2024, East Precinct officers responded to reports of an assault at an apartment in the 12000 block of Southeast Ash Street. Officers located an adult male suffering from minor injuries. Officers determined the man was punched in the face by a neighbor who had called him a racial slur in the past. Officers immediately located and arrested the suspect, Fabian Steven Bigeagle, 51, of Portland. Bigeagle was lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center on the following charges: Bias Crime in the First Degree and Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Upon his release from jail, Bigeagle returned to his home in the Hazelwood Neighborhood. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, officers responded to reports of another assault. Officers determined the man injured in the February attack was punched in the face and called a racial slur again. The suspect, Bigeagle, had fled the scene.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, March 14, 2024, officers returned to the apartment complex where they located and arrested Bigeagle. He was lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center on the following charges: Bias Crime in the Second Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree.
The Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crimes Unit investigated both incidents involving Bigeagle.
PPB’s Major Crimes Unit investigates all reports of bias-motivated crimes and encourages any member of our community who is the victim of such a crime to contact law enforcement. Under Oregon law, bias crimes are defined as any criminal act that targets a victim based on the suspect’s perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or national origin. Detectives work to determine whether or not bias elements are present during the reported crime that align with Oregon law as defined in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):
ORS 166.165 – Bias Crime in the First Degree – https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.165
ORS 166.155 – Bias Crime in the Second Degree – https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.155
If you have been the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. If you have been the victim of a different bias crime, such as vandalism or graffiti, and the suspect is no longer present, please call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
To learn more about bias crime investigations and reported bias/hate crime statistics within the City of Portland, please visit https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/reported-bias-crime-statistics .