On Thursday, August 9, 2018, at 10:24 a.m., Central Precinct officers responded to Southwest 4th Avenue near Portland City Hall, located at 1221 Southwest 4th Avenue, on the report of an assault.
As officers responded to the area, the caller to 9-1-1 informed Bureau of Emergency Communication (BOEC) call-takers he had been struck in the face by a man with a pipe. The caller informed officers he was waiting for responding officers in his vehicle near the intersection of Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Madison Street.
When officers arrived near Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Madison Street they located a man with an injury to his face. Emergency medical personnel arrived and provided the man emergency medical aid and transported him by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of what was believed to be a non-life-threatening injury.
During the investigation, officers learned the victim and a man got into a verbal argument regarding sidewalk accessibility in front of Portland City Hall near the protest group. The victim went to his truck, which was parked nearby and the argument continued. The victim went to leave and was stopped at a red light near Portland City Hall when the same man struck him in the face with a pole.
Based on initial information, officers believed the suspect was associated with a group protesting in front of Portland City Hall. A description of the suspect was provided to officers patrolling in Central Precinct. While in the area of Southwest 4th Avenue and West Burnside Street, an officer located a man that matched the suspect's description. The suspect was in possession of a pole that was believed to have been used in the assault.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old William B. Pierce, was taken into custody without incident. Pierce was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on a charge of Assault in the Second Degree. The pole was seized as evidence.
In attempt to reduce the likelihood of future confrontations and to address sidewalk accessibility issues, officers contacted the group gathered on the west sidewalk of Southwest 4th Avenue near Portland City Hall and provided individuals a "Warning -- Improper Sidewalk Use" https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/693822 .
Officers also informed people that any items that were left would be collected by a contracted cleaning service. Items of obvious utility and value that are left behind would be collected, stored and available for pick-up for a period of 30 days. Anyone seeking to reclaim their property should contact Pacific Patrol Services at 503-595-3440.
Source: Portland Police Bureau