'Fear And Ignorance' Led To Hate Crime In Portland, Suspect Says

PORTLAND, OR — Police last Friday arrested Frederick Nolan Sorrell on charges stemming from an incident in May that Multnomah County District Attorneys are calling a hate crime.

Sorrell, 49, faces three counts of second degree intimidation for the May 29 incident, which according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) saw Sorrell follow a Muslim couple in his car, harassing them for more than 20 blocks. As Sorrell followed the pair, he allegedly attempted to hit their vehicle several times, made pointing hand gestures that were said to resemble pulling the trigger of a gun, and shouted things like, "take off the f---ing burka," "this is America," and "go back to your f---ing country."

Sorrell reportedly told KATU News reporters after his court appearance on Monday that he threatened the couple out of "fear and ignorance," but that he'd love to now apologize and have an open conversation with them — ostensibly to get to know them better and correct the "fear-based information" on which he's been relying.

"Everything I see in black that is causing all these inflictions [sic] in the world like ISIS, Antifa, the face covered up, the KKK with their white hoods, I would have done the same thing. You don’t do that here," Sorrell reportedly told KATU News. "I don't hate you people. I'm just scared of some of the things I see. Like everything black like the Grim Ripper, it's affiliated with death."

Sorrell also reportedly told KATU News that he now fears for his own life.

The charges Sorrell faces are Class A misdemeanors, meaning if he's convicted he could receive a hefty fine. Sorrell pleaded not guilty to all three charges on July 10.

The May 29 incident involving Sorrell took place just days after the TriMet murders on May 26, which saw Jeremy Christian allegedly stab three men, killing two, onboard a TriMet MAX train after the men came to the defense of two teen girls at whom Christian spewed similar, racially charged epithets.

"We hope the arrest of (Sorrell) will serve to deter others from committing bias-motivated crimes targeting Muslims or any other minority group," CAIR-Oregon spokesperson Zakir Khan said in a statement. "CAIR-Oregon thanks the Portland Police Bureau and the Portland Mayor's office for their diligent efforts in this case."

According to Portland police officials, the city "has experienced increased tension and concerns about hate crime activity and threats to community safety," and they remind residents that officers will remain actively involved investigating all reports of threatening behavior.

"The Bureau understands the fear and uneasy feelings felt by many in our community and wants to share a message: Portland Police Officers are sworn to protect and dedicated to serve everyone," PPB officials said. "These officers are here to protect you and keep you safe."

Photo Courtesy: Portland Police Bureau