Andrew Duncomb: Journalist stabbed in the back at Portland protest for his 'outspoken support of conservatism'
PORTLAND, OREGON: A Black "conservative videographer" who has built quite the following on social media for his outspoken support of Donald Trump and conservatism was stabbed outside a federal courthouse in Portland this past week and claimed he was attacked because of his political beliefs.
Andrew Duncomb, 25, who goes by the moniker 'Black Rebel,' was stabbed early last Saturday, July 25, after he traveled to Portland from his home in Northern California to film protests outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse and county Justice Center, according to Oregon Live.
The city has seen people taking to the streets to protest police brutality and systemic racism for more than 60 consecutive days following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, who was killed in the custody of four Minneapolis police officers.
While it has been largely peaceful, there have been clashes between the police and protesters, and tensions have escalated further after the president sent federal forces to the city to control the situation earlier this month.
Duncomb said he made his way to Portland to document how it wasn't just the federal authorities who were creating problems, as has been depicted by the mainstream media who have shown footage of them firing tear gas and impact munitions into crowds.
He claimed those familiar with his work – he has repeatedly called out protesters for being violent while siding with the authorities and has also defended Confederate flags and monuments on social media -- had alerted activists to his presence at the protests shortly after his arrival and made him a target.
He told Oregon Live that the trouble started just before 2:30 am on July 25 when a group started trailing him and a few of his friends for several blocks. He said he eventually decided to hand his camera over to a friend and confront one of the men from the group.
In the video, one friend can be heard saying, "Someone's stalking us" as the 25-year-old approached the man, whose face was not visible because of the respirator and the goggles he was wearing.
"Hey buddy, why are you following us?" Duncomb asked him after coming up to him from behind and wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Without warning, the man removes a knife and stabs Duncomb in the lower back. "The adrenaline just soared through me," he recalled. "I had a can of bear mace and a knife on me, too. But I didn’t want to endanger innocent bystanders."
The 25-year-old was transported to the OHSU Hospital for treatment, where it was revealed that the blade had entered his back between his rib cage and hip, just inches from his spinal cord.
Portland Police arrested Blake David Hampe, 43, at the scene in connection to the stabbing. He is now facing charges of second-degree assault, a Measure 11 crime, and unlawful use of a weapon, and is being held on a $250,000 bond. According to a probable cause affidavit, Hampe claimed Duncomb had "set up" on him and tried to choke him.
While a motive is still unclear, Duncomb has insisted he was attacked because of his beliefs. "I was stabbed for being a conservative journalist," he said.