Seattle man charged in alleged racist attack on Black sixth-grader
A white man in Washington has been charged after allegedly assaulting a Black sixth-grader in a racially motivated attack during a school field trip.
Paul Jonathan Bittner, 42, faces charges of malicious harassment and second-degree assault of a child following the incident that occurred on Wednesday in Bellingham, Washington. This is according to the Whatcom County Jail.
The altercation unfolded when students from Whatcom Middle School were on a walking field trip near the Bellingham Police Department. Bittner reportedly joined the group and targeted a Black student with racist comments before physically attacking him. The student, whose identity has not been disclosed, was left with a chipped tooth after Bittner allegedly punched him in the face .
Racially Motivated Attack
According to reports from the Tri-City Herald, Bittner confronted the student and questioned, “Are you going to talk to a white man like that?” before delivering the blow. Witnesses say the aggressor then hurled racial slurs as he was arrested shortly after the attack.
The student was provided immediate support. Also, the Bellingham School District confirmed that additional counseling would be available to all students affected by the incident. The school’s principal, Mischelle Darragh, condemned the attack, stating:
“We are angry and shocked by what happened today. These events are extremely upsetting for everyone at our school and beyond” .
Community and District Response
Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker of Bellingham Public Schools called the incident “an act of racism.” In addition, he reiterated the district’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a statement but a promise to all students.”
Baker said in a public statement. He encouraged the community to come together to denounce racism and support the victim’s family.
The local community, including Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig, has also rallied in support of the victim, with both officials attending Bittner’s initial court appearance. In a video posted on the City of Bellingham’s Facebook page, Lund described the attack as “intolerable” and stressed the need for community action against discrimination and hate crimes .
Legal Proceedings
Bittner, who remains in custody with bail set at $500,000, made his first court appearance on Thursday. The prosecutor’s office is pursuing charges of malicious harassment—Washington’s hate crime statute—and second-degree assault on a child. The court has yet to set a date for the next hearing.
This shocking incident has stirred significant outrage and has prompted calls for stronger measures to protect students from racially motivated violence and ensure that communities remain vigilant against hate crimes.
Source: The Daily Beast
