Racist Message Left on Portland Couple's Apartment Door

Couple reports stranger wrote 'White's only' and burned their peephole

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Portland couple reported that a stranger wrote a racist message on their apartment door and burned their peephole in what police are investigating as a possible bias crime. The couple, who are an interracial LGBTQ couple, believe they were targeted and are concerned the perpetrator may strike again.

Why it matters

Incidents of hate crimes and bias-motivated attacks have been on the rise in many communities, sparking concerns about public safety and the need for stronger protections for vulnerable groups. This case highlights the impact such acts can have on victims and the broader community.

The details

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the couple's apartment off Northwest Naito Parkway in Portland. The couple, using the aliases John and Stacy, reported that a man in a hood knocked on their door and rattled the doorknob. About 10 minutes later, the same man returned with his hood off but did not say anything. John recorded both encounters on video. Later that night, the couple discovered the racist message 'White's only' written on their door and burn marks around the peephole.

  • The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The couple discovered the racist message and peephole damage around 11:30 p.m. that same night.

The players

John and Stacy

An interracial LGBTQ couple living in the apartment where the incident occurred.

Portland Police Bureau

The law enforcement agency investigating the incident as a possible bias crime.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My heart dropped and we took photos and we were just like, we need to leave right now. This is so scary.”

— Stacy

“I recorded him literally doing it [torching the peephole] on video, but I didn't know if it was a laser or a flashlight. I couldn't really tell, and then I saw the burn marks and it was obvious.”

— John

What’s next

Police said the person seen in the video has not been identified or located, and they are continuing to investigate the incident as a possible bias crime. The couple hopes someone will recognize the suspect and come forward with information.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing need to address hate crimes and bias-motivated attacks in communities, and highlights the trauma and fear experienced by victims targeted for their race, sexual orientation, or other identity characteristics.