On the morning of April 6th, 2026, my brother-in-law, Don, was walking his 8-year-old dog, Luna, when he was violently assaulted. He was on a public sidewalk in Newport, Oregon, heading home from a long beach walk, when a man and woman crossed the street in front of him, engaged him, and assaulted him. The attacker was out looking for someone to hurt, and found Don, who was knocked out, and woke in a pool of his own blood. As court proceedings are ongoing, we can’t discuss the details of the attack at this time.

Don has had Multiple Sclerosis for many years, was on new meds, and wasn’t looking for a fight. Luna is chill, and has never been aggressive. She cowered during the assault. When Don lost consciousness, she stayed by his side, and tried to wake him.

His injuries were extensive. Multiple displaced fractures in his cheekbone, eye socket, nose, and sinuses. Additional fractures in his jaw, cracked and chipped teeth, and a concussion. Trismus (lockjaw) due to the jaw being jammed behind broken bones, and damage to his infraorbital nerve, causing numbness and pain from hie eyes to his teeth. Within days, he also had large bruises on his neck, shoulders, chest, back, and legs.

Over the following weeks, he’s seen ENTs, OMFs, neurologists, and multiple primary care physicians, has had X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and one surgery. He’s scheduled for more surgeries soon. There’s also dental work, and meds to deal with mental health and PTSD issues. Several treatments have required the re-breaking of cheek and orbital bones, causing significant swelling, bruising, and pain. Part of his face, from cheek to jaw, is paralyzed. The hope is that it is temporary, but will have to see over the next three months. Healing of some of the issues will take 6-12 months, and may not be complete. He’s in a lot of pain.

Don is, in the simplest terms, an absolute sweetheart. He’s been tattooing for 22 years, and he and my sister, Erin, have run Newport Tattoo since 2023, where most every customer becomes a friend. Don’s one of the nicest people I know, generous to a fault, and funny, even in the midst of his ongoing health issues. He’s never once let me pay for a tattoo (so I’ve had to settle for bringing him good beer in exchange for ink). I hope to get more work done by him, but his injuries have limited his ability to work at all.

I don’t want this story to be about the attackers. The courts are handling that. There are witnesses, pictures, and videos we don’t yet have access to. We’ll update information as it becomes publicly available, as reasonable. I can say the authorities are taking this seriously, and the attacker has been charged. Long term, maybe Don and Erin will have access to Oregon’s Crime Victim’s Fund. Maybe they can eventually seek restitution, but that’s not going to happen for some time.

Right now, Don and Erin are struggling, both emotionally and financially. Six weeks later, Luna is still shaky and frightened, and won’t leave Don’s side. She hid for days, wouldn’t eat, and trembled constantly. She now whimpers and whines in her sleep, which she’s never done before. The family has taken out loans to cover their immediate bills, but they have no idea what the eventual costs will be. Due to Don’s MS, it was easy for them to max out-of-pocket limits, but many services are out-of-network, or not covered. So far, with medical costs are over $82,000, with their share of that $10,000. Don’s lost work — as he doesn’t qualify for ”Paid Oregon” benefits — is another $18,000. All this, plus damage to Don’s personal effects, and they’re down $30,000. As Don can now only work on a limited part-time basis, and many people have canceled tattoo appointments far into July, the eventual loss will be much higher.

If you know me personally, I’m happy to talk more about this. But, really, all I want is Don, Erin, and Luna to see that they are loved, that we all give a shit, and that we will help wherever we can.

Let’s do what we are able. Any contribution, or signal boost, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all.