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Hate Crime

Portland suspect in courtroom rant: ' You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism!'

Nate Hanson
KGW-TV, Portland, Ore.
Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, faces murder charges in the fatal stabbing of two men who sought to protect two women from Christian's anti-Muslim tirade on a Portland, Ore., light-rail train Friday, May 26, 2017.   
 / AFP PHOTO / AFP PHOTO AND PORTLAND POLICE / HO / XGTY
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Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version had the wrong day for Jeremy Joseph Christian's court appearance. Christian appeared in court Tuesday.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A man facing murder charges after he allegedly fatally stabbed two people and injured another on a Portland light-rail train has a history of run-ins with law enforcement and is a self-proclaimed white supremacist, authorities said.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder, one count of first-degree assault, two counts of intimidation in the second degree and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon stemming from the Friday attack. Christian made his first appearance in court Tuesday yelling about free speech.

“Death to the enemies of America. Leave this country if you hate our freedom," he yelled. "Death to antifa! (anti-fascism). You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism! You hear me? Die.”

Portland homicide detectives are investigating what led to the attack, including taking an extensive look at Christian's background and extremist ideology, police said. 

► Related:'He didn't die alone.' Man who performed CPR on stabbing victim speaks

Surveillance and cellphone video show Christian cutting the three victims with a knife, Detective Michele Michaels, who is investigating the triple stabbing, said in a probable-cause affidavit made public Tuesday. Videos include audio of Christian spewing racial and religious epithets during the attack.  

"Detectives have received many tips about the suspect's prior behavior and interactions with members of the community and will continue to investigate this information," said Sgt. Pete Simpson, Portland police spokesman. 

Witnesses said Christian stabbed three people who tried to calm him down after he was directing hate speech at two teen girls on the train who are believed to be Muslim. One woman was wearing a hijab, and Michaels said the girls told her they felt threatened.

The attack happened Friday, the first day of Ramadan, the holiest time of the year for Muslims. 

Christian was drinking sangria and shouting at the girls and other people on the train, according to court documents.

"Go home. We need American here." "I don't care if you are ISIS," and "Free speech or die," were among what he was yelling, the documents show.

After several attempted to get Christian to calm down, he then made a sudden move in the direction of victim Taliesin Namkai-Meche, who responded by standing up. Micah Fletcher, who was nearby, got up and stood next to Namkai-Meche.

Court documents indicate that Christian shoved Fletcher in the chest and appeared to pull a folding knife from his pocket and conceal it in his hand. Fletcher shoved Christian back and continued telling him to get off the train.

After stumbling and telling Fletcher to hit him again, Christian stabbed Fletcher in the neck. He then stabbed Namkai-Meche in the neck, according to court documents. 

The third victim, Rick Best, got up to intervene and Christian stabbed him, court documents said. Before leaving the train, Christian stabbed Namkai-Meche and Best again.

Christian then got off the train at the Hollywood Transit Center, threatened several people on the platform and left the area. Police arrested him several blocks away.

Police said he confessed to the stabbings while he was in the back of a patrol car.

"I can die a happy man," Christian said as officers recounted it in the affidavit. He also was being recorded.

President Trump condemned the stabbings, writing Monday on Twitter: "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said he appreciated Trump's words but stressed the need for action. Wheeler urged organizers to cancel a "Trump Free Speech Rally" in Portland and other similar events next weekend, saying they are inappropriate and could be dangerous.

Christian gained local notoriety in April at a “Free Speech” march in Portland. He was draped with the American flag and reportedly chanting the N-word throughout the march.

Conservatives, liberals and anarchists rejected Christian at the march.

Portland stabbing suspect, Jeremy Joseph Christian at a "Free Speech" march in Portland in April. Christian was draped in an American flag at the event.

On his Facebook page, Christian shared a post with a video and photo of him performing a Nazi salute during the march. In a comment on his page Christian proclaimed, “I am White and a Nationalist for Vinland.”

His Facebook page is full of disturbing posts supporting white supremacy, attacking women, mocking transgender people. It  shows a man obsessed with fascism.

In a post three days after the inauguration of Donald Trump, Christian posted, "If Donald Trump is the Next Hitler then I am joining his SS to put an end to Monotheist Question."

On that same day Christian, who shows support for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on his Facebook page, posted a death threat about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

He also called Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber a true patriot.

► Related:Police identify suspect in fatal 'hate speech' train stabbing

In addition to Christian’s Facebook posts, he has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement.

In 2002, he pleaded guilty to robbery and kidnapping for reportedly handcuffing the owner of a market to a counter and stealing cash and cigarettes. The Oregonian reported he was shot in the face as police tried to  take him into custody.

In another incident in 2002, Christian was charged with use of a dangerous weapon and supplying contraband.

In 2010, he was charged with theft and felon in possession of a firearm.

On Saturday, Portland police said a review of Christian’s record “shows he is not flagged as a criminal gang member, nor does he have any known mental health history listed.”

Wheeler and City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly denounced Christian's actions and applauded the victims' bravery for standing up to Christian.

"Two men lost their lives and another was injured for doing the right thing, standing up for people they didn't know against hatred. Their actions were brave and selfless, and should serve as an example and inspiration to us all. They are heroes," Wheeler said.

"We need to offer our heartfelt support to the women and others who were targeted. The courage of the people who stood up for them is a reminder that we as a city need to stand together to denounce the hate," Eudaly said.

Contributing: The Associated Press. Follow Nate Hanson on Twitter: @NHans_KGW

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