PORTLAND, OREGON: A 24-year-old man faces murder and bias crime charges for fatally stabbing a restaurant server who was reportedly defending a friend from homophobic slurs and harassment outside a bar in Portland, Oregon. Rahnique Usef Jackson was indicted by a grand jury in the death of Colin Smith, 32.
In a news release, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said that the suspect is currently facing charges with murder in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and bias crime in the second degree. The alleged incident took place on July 2, just before 2 am.
What happened during the attack?
Jackson was reportedly vexed before the killing after a bartender mocked him for not tipping. According to the reports of OregonLive, the suspect had allegedly harassed, hurled homophobic profanities, and touched someone inappropriately in Smith’s group of friends outside the High Dive bar. The police authorities were informed by members of Jackson’s group that they saw him getting engaged in a verbal altercation with the group and described him as “out of control and angry", the outlet reported, citing court documents.
“I know he was probably just trying to de-escalate and get this person to move on,” friend Paulina Solis told local NBC affiliate KGW. “And that’s when he was killed.” Jackson fled the scene after committing the crime and Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. However, the suspect was arrested by the US Marshals Service a few days later. “I lost my boy when he was defending a friend,” Julie Smith, his mother, wrote in a statement to People. “A quick action that was spontaneous and innate to his selfless character.”
A photo of Smith with his cat, Smokey, who meant the world to him, was released by his family members. “The number one thing we just want to stress to people is not to promote the fear of not sticking up for people, but love thy neighbor and stick up for people,” Danielle Smith, his sister, told People.
The owner of the restaurant issues a statement after the attack
Greg Denton, the owner, and chef of Ox Restaurant, where Smith worked, said the employees are still in shock after the incident. “It’s a little better each day, but I think it’s like a rollercoaster,” he told local Fox affiliate KPTV. “For a lot of staff, coming back in has triggered some emotions, but we are just trying to stay strong together and try to communicate. Just be open to the process of grieving as much as we can. It’s hard because our job is to take care of others, so it’s difficult.” Jackson is set to be arraigned on July 18.
Who is Colin M Smith?
Colin M Smith was a loyal Ox server who died earlier this month after he was fatally stabbed outside a Portland bar. The Ox employee’s colleagues, friends, and employer reflected on Smith’s life and shared his utmost dedication to service, both in his work and in his relationships. "Before he started at Ox, he started to work on a business plan for a restaurant. He was always taking mental notes when he was in the kitchen, how he would want his kitchen to be, and thinking of different recipes. He wanted to get one of those double-decker red buses, make it a steak and fries place with rotating appetizers or desserts or drinks", Paulina Solis, Smith's ex-girlfriend and close friend said. 'The top part would be the tables, the bottom would be the kitchen, and he’d have an outdoor patio with a projector and lights. He had big plans, he was definitely going to do something incredible.”
“Colin was one of the hires when we reopened after the pandemic; he applied to be a cook here. We spoke, and I thought to myself, ‘Man, he’s really easy to talk to, he just seems very fun and nice, I think he’d be a better fit for front of house.’ He was actually happy about it. He became one of our best employees pretty quickly", said Greg Denton, Ox co-owner.
“On my first day, Colin was the first person to walk up to me and introduce himself. Immediately feeling that sense of compassion in Colin, right off the bat, it really just had such a huge effect on me in such a positive way", said Mark Knudsen, Ox general manager and wine director. Andrew Moore, an Ox bartender said, "He was the guy that made every situation more enjoyable, whether it be work or a party. His laugh was beautiful and contagious.” The team at Ox has organized a GoFundMe to support Smith’s family.
