Brian “Hakyim” Simpson, a Black wildlands firefighter in Oregon, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after defending himself against an attack he says was racially motivated.
Incident Details and Trial
The confrontation took place on June 17, 2024, when Simpson and fellow firefighters were relaxing at firefighting housing near Grants Pass. According to trial transcripts, another firefighter, Brandon Olson, woke up angry and confronted the group, telling them to “shut the f*** up.” When Simpson responded, Olson allegedly used a racial slur, telling him to “pull your fin pants up, n**.”
The two men fought after Olson reportedly threw the first punch, despite denying using the slur. A witness testified Olson did say the racial slur. Simpson initially kept his hands behind his back while being hit three times before defending himself.
The altercation escalated with Olson pursuing Simpson even after Simpson tried to disengage. Olson admitted to having drugs, including fentanyl, in his system during the incident.
Conviction and Controversy
Simpson was found guilty of second-degree assault by an all-white jury in Josephine County, Oregon, a county that is 92% white and less than 1% Black. Despite the evidence showing Olson as the aggressor, Simpson was sentenced to 70 months in prison and is currently incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Facility.
Support and Advocacy
Friends, family, and community members have rallied behind Simpson, launching a petition and letter-writing campaign urging Oregon Governor Tina Kotek to reconsider his case. The petition highlights the racial injustice and calls for clemency, gathering over 3,000 signatures.
Simpson is also recognized as a community leader and spoken word artist from Cincinnati, with a mural honoring his legacy downtown.
Family Impact
The case has deeply affected Simpson’s four sons, who miss their father and hope for his return. Simpson remains determined to continue his firefighting career and give back to the community after serving his sentence.
Ongoing Legal Battles
Meanwhile, Olson has filed a $1.8 million lawsuit against Grayback Forestry, claiming Simpson should never have been hired. Olson was also charged with stalking in an unrelated case in October 2024.