Veteran Demonstarator Assaulted

A local peaceful demonstration to support veterans turned violent when a disagreement turned physical, sending one local veteran to the hospital. On June 7th, 2025, around 1pm, Newport Officers responded to a report of an assault that had just occurred during a political protest in front of Newport City Hall. At the scene, officers discovered a 75-year-old Vietnam Veteran who was the victim of the assault with a laceration on the back of his head. Officers provided first aid care to the man until medics arrived on the scene. He was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital for further evaluation and treatment of his head injury. The suspects had fled the scene in their truck before officers arrived.

Officers interviewed witnesses and reviewed video of the incident. A witness at the scene reported to Oregon Coast Breaking News that a truck pulled up between city hall and the empty parking lot where the group was holding support veterans signs, and the victim was holding a Ukrainian flag. A woman got out of the truck and started yelling at the group reportedly telling them she was a Purple Heart veteran and they needed to stop their demonstration and began arguing with them. A man, later identified as Jacob E, Busch, quickly exited the driver’s seat of the truck, ran over to the protesters, and body-shoved the elderly male victim, who fell backwards about 6-feet, striking the back of his head against the concrete sidewalk, causing injury to the back of his head. He was taken to the hospital, where he was kept overnight for his injuries.

Newport Officers, along with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies, Oregon State Police Troopers, and Toledo Police Department Officers searched for the suspect truck. Saturday at about 1:45pm a Lincoln County Sheriffs Deputy located the suspect truck in Waldport. The Deputy conducted a traffic stop and detained Mr. Busch and his female passenger. Newport Police responded to Waldport and took custody of Busch, who was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. After further investigation, the female suspect was released at the scene. Lincoln County Democratic Chair Mary Infante said, "We are going to continue our rallies, but are encouraging de-escalation training. Our rallies are peaceful," she added.

Mr. Busch was charged with felon in possession of a firearm, assault in the 4th degree, harassment and disorderly conduct with a bail set at $75,000.  The Newport Police Department would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this incident. The incident remains under investigation.  If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348.