By Suzie Ziegler
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Texas man has been charged with assault after he allegedly used a construction hammer to attack a U.S. Marshals Service deputy during a weekend of protests, the DOJ said in a press release Monday.
The attack happened around 1 a.m. on July 11 outside the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. That’s when the suspect, 23-year-old Jacob Michael Gaines, was observed using a hammer to damage a barricaded entrance at the courthouse, court documents said. At the same time, federal law enforcement personnel were standing inside the courthouse to protect the facility, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement tried to exit the courthouse to stop Gaines from breaking down the barricade. While attempting to detain him, a U.S. Marshals Service deputy was hit by the hammer three times, according to court documents. The deputy took hits to the left shoulder, lower neck and upper back, but avoided serious injury. The deputy was able to hold onto Gaines while other officers handcuffed him, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Gaines made his first court appearance Monday and was released pending further proceedings, the DOJ said.
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