A 34-year-old Gresham man faces an active arrest warrant after failing to appear for his arraignment on charges stemming from a confrontation at a Hillsboro gas station in which he allegedly shouted racial slurs and threatened to kill bystanders.
Blake Galen Johnson was charged with three counts of first-degree bias crime, three counts of menacing, and one count each of driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), disorderly conduct, and criminal driving while suspended or revoked, according to court documents cited by KATU.
He did not show up for his arraignment on Monday, July 14, and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 7, when Hillsboro Police responded to a disturbance call at the Chevron station at 2281 N.W. 185th Ave.
Officers spoke with a Black man from North Carolina who was selling magazines in the area. He told police he had approached a woman in a Chevy Tahoe when a man came out of the store, told him to get off the truck, and repeatedly called him a racial slur while attempting to punch him, according to court documents.
Witnesses told officers the suspect also gestured as though he had a gun, made homophobic statements, and shouted, "I'll kill you all first," before leaving the lot in the Tahoe, court documents state.
Police later located the vehicle, determined the driver's privileges had been revoked, and arrested Johnson.
Under Oregon law, first-degree bias crime is a Class C felony carrying up to five years in prison upon conviction.
The statute covers intentionally placing another person in fear of serious physical injury based on perceived race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
As of a 2017 Multnomah County jail booking, Johnson had at least two felony convictions, 11 misdemeanor convictions, and six parole violations on his record.
The Hillsboro Police Department has not issued a public statement on this case. No next court date has been announced.
How to report bias crimes in Hillsboro
Hillsboro Police's online reporting system does not accept bias crime reports. Residents who witness or experience a bias incident should call 911 if there is immediate danger, or reach Hillsboro Police non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111. Oregon's statewide Bias Response Hotline, operated through the Department of Justice, is available at 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427).
