Fight at Wagon Wheel Park appears racially motivated
0 Comments Published by Pioneer Staff on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 1:30 PM.
By Abby Sewell
Molalla Pioneer
New facts emerged today in the case of last night's disturbance at Wagon Wheel Park. According to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office reports, a group of white males assaulted a pair of Hispanic men in what may have been a racially motivated attack.
Austin Greenwood, 18, of Oregon City, was arrested on charges of second degree assault, first and third degree criminal mischief and rioting and police are still seeking at least two other suspects in the attack on two Hispanic men.
Edwin Alfonso Gonzales, 27, and Alex Bivian Guzman, 26, of Salem told police that they were confronted by a group of 20 to 30 white males while sitting in the park by the Molalla River drinking beer.
According to the alleged victims, the group began yelling racial epithets and hurling rocks at the two Hispanic men. Gonzales, who told police he was struck in the back with a rock, attempted to flee in his car but was unable to.
Sheriff's deputies arrived on scene at 9:40 p.m. and found a large group of people assembled, including Gonzales, who was complaining of back pain.
He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. His vehicle had also suffered significant damage, according to the CCSO report.
"The investigation thus far reveals this appears to be a racially motivated crime," CCSO Detective Jim Strovink said.
Witnesses identified Greenwood as a ringleader of the attackers. Upon being questioned, he admitted being involved in the assault and was also identified as a perpetrator by witnesses.
According to the police report, Greenwood told an officer, "All I did is wrestle with some fat Mexican."
Molalla Pioneer
New facts emerged today in the case of last night's disturbance at Wagon Wheel Park. According to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office reports, a group of white males assaulted a pair of Hispanic men in what may have been a racially motivated attack.
Austin Greenwood, 18, of Oregon City, was arrested on charges of second degree assault, first and third degree criminal mischief and rioting and police are still seeking at least two other suspects in the attack on two Hispanic men.
Edwin Alfonso Gonzales, 27, and Alex Bivian Guzman, 26, of Salem told police that they were confronted by a group of 20 to 30 white males while sitting in the park by the Molalla River drinking beer.
According to the alleged victims, the group began yelling racial epithets and hurling rocks at the two Hispanic men. Gonzales, who told police he was struck in the back with a rock, attempted to flee in his car but was unable to.
Sheriff's deputies arrived on scene at 9:40 p.m. and found a large group of people assembled, including Gonzales, who was complaining of back pain.
He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. His vehicle had also suffered significant damage, according to the CCSO report.
"The investigation thus far reveals this appears to be a racially motivated crime," CCSO Detective Jim Strovink said.
Witnesses identified Greenwood as a ringleader of the attackers. Upon being questioned, he admitted being involved in the assault and was also identified as a perpetrator by witnesses.
According to the police report, Greenwood told an officer, "All I did is wrestle with some fat Mexican."
0 Responses to “Fight at Wagon Wheel Park appears racially motivated”
Post a Comment