Happy Valley home and family targets of racial intimidation | Community Spirit

HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. - Sang Huynh and his family were excited about moving into their new home in Happy Valley.

Ultimately, though, they were soon tragically stunned and disheartened to witness racial intimidation and terrifying criminal mischief that greeted them upon their arrival.

Sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 3:08 p.m. on August 30, the Huynh family home, on Southeast Catina Place, was spray painted with demeaning and harsh racial slurs on the exterior of the home. This came after the Huynh family had just begun the move-in process three days earlier.

In addition, a note was discovered at the scene that read: "Leave," written boldly in black ink -- with the continued message that read, "Last warning. We will burn your house down if we have to." Also left behind - a book of matches and a clear plastic water bottle filled with an explosive accelerant believed to be gasoline.

There were also other disturbing words spray painted on the family's home reading "Go home Gook," and "Chink."

The family's teenage son said he can't figure out why they would be targeted.

"On Monday when we moved in, we saw a lot of gasoline and a death note - not a death note but a warning that they were going to burn down the house. I don't know, that's kind of scary," said Brian Huynh.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the Happy Valley Police Department have launched an investigation. In addition, the Portland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been consulted by local investigators. The incident appears to encompass civil right violations, which may be considered for a federal investigation or prosecution.

Police say the residents of the Happy Valley community are outraged with the crimes and are eager for the person or persons responsible to be apprehended.

Anyone with information concerning the crime is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office's confidential Tip Line -- by phone at (503) 723-4949, or by using the online e-mail form. Be sure to reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #10-26905.

The public can also submit crime-tip text messages to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office from a cell phone. All users have to do is send a text message to CRIMES (274637 on your phone keypad) -- with the keyword CCSO as the first word in the message body. Important reminder: Do not send emergency messages using the text-messaging system -- in case of an emergency, call 911.

Statement from the City of Happy Valley

The City of Happy Valley released the following statement to the media Thursday afternoon:

"An apparent act of racial harassment and intimidation occurred in Happy Valley, OR sometime during the afternoon of August 30th.  The targeted victims were an Asian-American family that had just begun moving into the new home three days earlier.  Racial slurs were spray painted on the home's exterior, and written threats were left outside the house, along with what appeared to be a gasoline-filled plastic water bottle and matches."

"Totally unacceptable and disturbing," was the description offered by Happy Valley's Mayor Rob Wheeler.  "It is such an uncharacteristic act to have happened in our city.  We  have families from many ethnic backgrounds who have lived peacefully in Happy Valley for years without problems.  This is clearly the work of a disturbed individual or misguided vandals."

"City Hall has already received calls and emails from the community, expressing sympathy for this family and disappointment that this malicious act is a first and unfair impression of Happy Valley.  To respect the privacy of the family during this time, it is suggested that the many thoughtful offers of cards, good wishes and welcoming gifts be turned in at City Hall, 16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy Valley, OR.  and city representatives will deliver them."

"The Happy Valley City Council joins the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office in urging anyone who may have witnessed this crime, or has information that would help the ongoing investigation to call the Sheriff's tip line at (503) 723-4949."