Linn County Sheriff’s investigators are seeking suspects in a Sunday night assault at the Willamette Country Music Festival that sent an 18-year-old man to the hospital.
Sheriff Jim Yon said deputies responded at 10:11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, to report that the victim had been assaulted and needed medical attention. Deputies and medics, both on site, responded.
Deputies learned that a black Ford pick-up with three males had been driving through the camping area, near Section O of the festival, on a grass field off Highway 228 about 13 miles south of Sweet Home, waving a large Confederate flag.
Before the Kid Rock concert, the victim, who was walking in the area, yelled something to the males about their flag because he did not like it. One male jumped out of the pick-up and he and the victim exchanged further name-calling. The suspect hit the victim several times and then drove off in the pick-up. The victim was found wandering in the area by friends, who reported it to dispatch.
Deputies searched the festival property for the suspect but could not find him. The pick-up was described as a newer full-sized Ford pick-up waving a Confederate flag.
The three males, including the suspect, were in their late teens to early 20s, Yon said. The suspect who assaulted the victim was described as having dark hair and was wearing blue jeans, a black muscle shirt with the sides cut, brown boots and a black cowboy hat, Yon said.
The victim, an 18-year old black male, was transported to Lebanon Community Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Deputies are continuing to investigate the case but are asking for anyone that might know the suspects or where they were parked or camped at to call the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the suspect, the listed vehicle or the case is asked to contact Sergeant Mike Harmon at (541) 967-3950.