Sheriff: Hate crime a hoax
HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. - A malicious hate crime against an Asian-American family that moved into Happy Valley was actually a hoax perpetrated by one of the couple's teenagers, police announced Friday.
The story about words like "Gook" and "Chink" being spray painted on the family's home, and a note reading "Last warning - we will burn your house down if we have to" left on the property, sent shock waves throughout the community.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the Happy Valley Police Department immediately opened a case and even consulted with the Federal Bureau of Investigation since the incident could have encompassed civil rights violations.
But investigators discovered that the acts were actually done by the family's 16-year-old, who they say is very remorseful.
"This 16-year-old did not realize the magnitude of these actions and was surprised at the response to this activity," Happy Valley Detective Gil Millett said in a news release. "This child was distraught over having to change school districts and apprehensive with the prospect of having to make new friends in a new school environment, and that is what generated these unfortunate acts."
The teenager will be attending high school in the area and a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officer will be helping with the new adjustment.
Police say there will be no criminal charges, that the matter is being addressed by the family.
