A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder and bias crime in the stabbing death of a restaurant server in Portland, Oregon. The victim, Colin Smith, 32, was reportedly defending a friend from homophobic slurs and harassment outside a bar when the incident occurred. The suspect, Rahnique Usef Jackson, faces charges of murder in the second degree, and the unlawful use of a weapon. He also has been charged second-degree bias crime, according to Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt.
A grand jury has indicted Rahnique Usef Jackson for the murder of Colin Smith. The incident took place on July 2, just before 2 a.m. Prior to the stabbing, the suspect had become angry when a bartender made a joke about him not tipping. Witnesses reported that Jackson had allegedly harassed, used homophobic slurs, and inappropriately touched someone in Smith’s group of friends outside the High Dive bar. Members of Jackson’s group described him as “out of control and angry.”
Colin Smith’s tragic death has left his family devastated. His mother, Julie Smith, expressed her grief, stating that her son was defending a friend when he was killed. Smith’s family released a photo of him with his beloved cat, Smokey, emphasizing his caring nature. The suspect fled from the scene of the crime, but he was later apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service. Jackson is scheduled to be arraigned on July 18th, where he is expected to enter a plea.
The loss of Colin Smith has deeply affected those who knew him. Greg Denton, the owner and chef of Ox Restaurant where Smith worked, spoke about the shock and emotional toll on the staff. Denton mentioned that returning to work has been challenging for many employees, as their job is to take care of others. The grieving process is ongoing, and the community is coming together to support one another during this difficult time.