Portland Police Bureau has released pictures of three suspects that were believed to be involved in the violence against journalist Andy Ngo and others over the weekend.
Ngo was beaten and sprayed with an unknown substance. The bureau said the substance may have included quick-drying cement, which can cause chemical burns.
The department said that the three individuals were “believed to be involved in criminal activity.” The photographs were released as part of the probe into the violence at the demonstration, which was held legally by the right-wing Patriot Prayer group and disrupted by members of Antifa, a far-left group that openly advocates and commits violence.
“The Portland Police Bureau’s Detective Division continues to investigate multiple criminal acts committed during demonstration events on Saturday,” the statement, released late July 1, said.
“Investigators are releasing several photographs to the public of individuals believed to be involved in criminal activity. Anyone with information about those pictured in these photographs should contact the Police Bureau. Anyone who witnessed the incidents, should contact the Detective Division at (503) 823-0400.”
Anonymous tipsters can submit tips to CRIMES (274637) – Type 823HELP, followed by the tip or online at crimestoppersoforegon.com.
One picture showed a white man without a shirt. He was thin with blonde hair. The picture was taken at the corner of 6 and Morrison, authorities said. Two other pictures showed masked suspects. Three Antifa members were previously arrested and identified as Maria Dehart, Gage Halupowski, and James Stocks.
The bureau confirmed that multiple people were assaulted on June 29.
“As the event progressed, officers observed a number of participants in the crowd who concealed and brandished weapons, including collapsible batons, projectiles, and firearms, to name a few. Attempts were made to effect arrests when possible and resources were available. The presence of weapons in the crowd and assaults on police officers were factors taken into consideration in how to safely and effectively manage a situation that turned into civil disorder,” the bureau stated.
Video footage showed Antifa members brandishing crowbars and wearing tactical assault gloves.
“Law enforcement resources in crowd management situations are deployed with great thought and consideration and in groups in order to be most effective. Attention is given to balancing the safety of demonstrators, safety of officers and first responders, First Amendment rights, infrastructure, and property. These resources can take time to deploy and shift as situations change and develop,” the bureau added.
Police noted that no law currently prohibits covering of the face, a loophole “exploited by criminals who engage in acts of violence” who don’t want to be identified.
“We are determined to pursue every lead with the goal of arresting those who engaged in crimes and holding them accountable. The public should be aware of the time it takes to shift resources and address violence; it is not immediate and officers have to weigh many factors in their approach,” Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said in a statement.
Ngo Speaks Out
Ngo, an editor at Quillete and a contributor to the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal, was attacked on Saturday while covering the situation.
Appearing on Fox News’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on July 1, Ngo said that he was “suddenly bashed on the back of my head from behind.”
“When I realized what was happening, it was too late. A mob of people all dressed in black and wearing masks started beating me with their fists. And some of them used objects to hit me,” he said.
First skirmish I’ve seen. Didn’t see how this started, but @MrAndyNgo got roughed up. pic.twitter.com/hDkfQchRhG
— Jim Ryan (@Jimryan015) June 29, 2019
Ngo said his GoPro camera was stolen. Even after he put up his hands as a form of surrender, Antifa members continued battering him.
“I put my arms up to try to shield my face as well as to signal to them that I was surrendering, and that I was not there to fight. But it really signaled to them to be more aggressive, so then they started dumping what I believe were milkshakes, and eggs, throwing it at my face. Which blinded me so I couldn’t see,” he said. “And I was kicked some more, punched some more.”
A CT scan at a hospital confirmed he had a brain hemorrhage, he said.