A sixth-grade student at a Bellingham school was the victim of a hate crime during a school field trip on Wednesday, June 12.
The incident happened in front of the Bellingham Police Department around 1:30 p.m., according to an online police incident report.
A group of middle school students and school staff were walking on the sidewalk when the suspect crossed the street and integrated himself into the group, according to Megan Peters, a spokesperson for BPD. The suspect, without warning, turned and pushed the victim, described in the report as “a pre-teen child of color,” and made a comment similar to “are you gonna talk to a white man like that?”
The suspect, a 42-year-old man, then hit the victim in the face with a closed fist, according to Peters. Staff intervened and called law enforcement. The victim does not know the suspect.
Police found the suspect nearby and during questioning, he used derogatory language toward Black people and made a statement indicating people should assault them, according to Peters. He was arrested on suspicion of malicious harassment (hate crime) and assault of a child.
The suspect had a preliminary appearance on Thursday in Whatcom County Superior Court and his bail was set at $500,000, according to online jail records.
In a message sent to Whatcom Middle School parents on Wednesday, Principal Mischelle Darragh wrote the students were returning from a walking field trip to Pickford Film Center when the attack happened.
“We are angry and shocked by what happened today,” Darragh wrote. “These events are extremely upsetting for everyone at our school and beyond. We are wrapping around our students and doing all we can to support them.”
Counseling support services were available to all students, according to Darragh. The victim is also receiving support.
In a video posted to social media, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and Bellingham Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig denounced the physical assault and racist comments made toward the student.
“The incident yesterday involving a child was intolerable,” Lund said. “Acts of violence and intolerance are a painful reminder that we have work to do as a community and a nation to prevent and respond to discrimination and hate crimes.”
Mertzig said the police response was quick and the suspect was arrested. BPD has reached out to the victim and their family and have provided support to Bellingham Public Schools.
Lund noted that the first meeting of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission was held Wednesday and that the work of the commission was necessary after the assault.
In the video, Mertzig urged people to call 911 if they have a hate crime or bias-based crime to report.
Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker wrote the district was opposed to anti-Black racism and racism in all forms, in a letter to parents and community members on Thursday.
Update: This story has been updated to include statements from Whatcom Middle School and Bellingham Public Schools.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
