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Trump condemns fatal stabbings of good Samaritans in Portland

By The Associated Press
May 29, 2017 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is condemning the fatal stabbings of two good Samaritans, including a man formerly from Ashland, who were trying to aid two young Muslim women as an avowed white supremacist harassed them in Portland.

Trump tweeted Monday: "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them."

The attacks came on a light rail train on the first day of Ramadan, the holiest time of year for Muslims.

Police identified the dead as 53-year-old Ricky John Best of Happy Valley and 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, who graduated from Ashland High School and lived in Portland. Mayor Ted Wheeler said Best was an Army veteran and a city employee.

Police have arrested Jeremy Joseph Christian in connection with the killings and say they're looking at his extremist ideology.

A sign of thanks rests against a traffic light pole at a memorial outside the transit center in Portland on Saturday. People stopped with flowers, candles, signs and painted rocks for two bystanders who were stabbed to death Friday, while trying to stop a man who was yelling anti-Muslim slurs and acting aggressively toward two young women, including one wearing a Muslim head covering, on a light-trail train in Portland. Suspect Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, was booked on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in the attack and will make a first court appearance Tuesday. [AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus]