UPDATE: The suspect in an Ontario, Oregon stabbing attack at a Pilot Truck Stop was arraigned Monday and charged with attempted murder and assault in the first degree, both are class-A felonies in Oregon.
26-year-old Nolan Strauss, of Nebraska, was also charged with bias crime in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon. His bond is set at more than $200,000.
Officials say Strauss repeatedly stabbed 48-year-old Ronnell Hughes, who just moved to Ontario from North Carolina and was inquiring about a job at the Arby's. Investigators say it does not appear the two men knew each other before the attack, and say the motive leans heavily towards racial discrimination.
Hughes was hospitalized with non-life threatening stab wounds to his neck.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Ontario Police Department is investigating a Saturday morning stabbing at a Pilot truck stop that officials say appears to be racially motivated.
The attack happened around 9:41 a.m. Saturday morning at the Pilot truck stop at 653 E Idaho Avenue.
According to police, the suspect, 26-year-old, Caucasian, Nolan Strauss attacked 48-year-old, African-American, Ronnell Hughes in an unprovoked stabbing inside the Arby's restaurant at the truck stop.
The victim attempted to fend off the attack and suffered slash and stab wounds to his neck, according to police.
The suspect was taken into custody, and the victim was transported to an Idaho hospital where he remains in stable condition.
Police say employees in the restaurant subdued the armed suspect and none of them were injured in the incident.
There is no indication that the suspect and the victim knew each other or had any interaction prior to the attack, according to police.
Police say the attack "leans heavily" towards a racially motivated hate crime.
The suspect is currently in the Malheur County Jail and police say he will likely face charges for assault, bias crime and attempted murder.
