Hate crime alleged after Bellingham boy attacked during middle school trip

A Bellingham child was injured in an alleged hate crime as a group of students returned from a field trip Wednesday afternoon in downtown Bellingham, police and school officials said. school.

The Whatcom Middle School sixth-grader, whose name has not been released, was punched in the face by an attacker who apparently targeted the boy because of his race.

School officials and police have not provided information about the boy’s injuries or whether he needed medical attention. A probable cause statement filed Thursday in Whatcom County Superior Court said the boy, 11, suffered a chipped tooth in the attack.

Paul Jonathan Bittner, 42, was being held in the Whatcom County Jail Thursday on suspicion of second-degree assault and malicious harassment, which constitutes a hate crime.

Prosecutors requested $1 million bail in the case. Superior Court Commissioner Pro Tem Daniel McGreevy set bail at $500,000 during Bittner’s first appearance Thursday afternoon.

Nearly 30 people gathered in a small room in the basement of the county courthouse, where bail hearings are typically held with only one or two people present. The victim’s family members were joined by members of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission and key members of Bellingham’s small black community, including Jason McGill of Northwest Youth Services, Teejay Morris, founder of the Bellingham Unity Committee, and former Bellingham Councilmember Kristina Michele Martens. Also in attendance were Mayor Kim Lund, Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig and Councilman Jace Cotton.

Whatcom Middle School Principal Mischelle Darragh informed parents, students and staff of the incident in an email Wednesday.

“We are angry and shocked by what happened today. These events are extremely upsetting for everyone at our school and beyond. We surround ourselves with our students and do everything we can to support them,” Darragh said in the email shared by a school district official with the Bellingham Herald.

Bellingham police spokeswoman Megan Peters told the Herald the attack happened as the students were walking past the police station at 505 Grand Ave. The attack was captured on a video camera at the police station, according to probable cause.

“School staff witnessed the assault, intervened and summoned law enforcement by calling (911) and coming to the front door (of the police station). Staff also secured the child and moved him away from the attacker,” Peters told the Herald in an email.

Darragh praised everyone who stepped in to protect the boy, who is black.

“I want to commend the quick and thoughtful response of our teachers and students, who were able to quickly care for the student who was attacked and keep the rest of our students safe,” Darragh said.

“We will have additional psychological support available to all students for as long as necessary. Today, sixth graders will end the day with a class circle where students can share their feelings and concerns,” she said.

Court documents say the students were walking north on Grand Avenue near the police station when Bittner approached the street and followed the group.

Bittner pushed a student and then said, “Are you going to talk to a white man like that?” Peters told the Herald. Then Bittner punched the boy in the face.

Police arrested Bittner a few blocks away, according to court documents.

After being handcuffed, Bittner was placed in a patrol car, where he uttered more racial slurs, according to Peters and court documents.