Crime & Safety
Police Probe Fight Spurred by use of Gay Slur
Witnesses tell police it started when a transgender man objected to the use of a slur by a man on his phone.
A fight aboard a MAX train Friday afternoon is being investigated by Portland Police as a possible bias crime.
Witnesses told police a transgender man heard another man use a slur as he talked on his cell phone at the other end of the train.
The transgender man walked over to him and an argument ensued.
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The man on the phone was pushed and punched by the transgender man, witnesses said.
He punched back.
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The train pulled into the Overlook transit station where police found the transgender man with non-life threatening injuries. He was taken to a hospital for observation.
The other man was located nearby and taken into custody but released after police spoke with witnesses and reviewing surveillance tape.
The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office will review the case and decided whether or not to bring charges.
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