Scappoose man sentenced after break-in, hitting ex-girlfriend with hammer

Editor’s note: If you or anyone you know needs help, below is a list of local and national resources:

• Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office victim assistance
• Oregon Department of Human Resources
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man from Scappoose was sentenced to prison on Tuesday after breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and beating her with a hammer, authorities announced.

Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said 42-year-old Steven Michael Hir was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of assault in the first, second and fourth degree, burglary, unlawful use of a weapon, strangulation, menacing, stalking and harassment.

Hir and the 48-year-old victim met through a dating app and dated intermittently before breaking up, authorities explained.

The case goes back to February 16 when Hir arrived uninvited to the victim’s apartment in Wilsonville. After an argument, Hir strangled and punched her, causing a concussion, officials said, noting she received medical treatment the next day and reported the assault to law enforcement.

Later, on Feb. 28, Hir broke into the victim’s apartment through the backdoor, taking a hammer from her toolbox and striking her about 30 times in the face, head and body, causing “devastating injuries,” the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said, adding that the victim spent one week in the hospital due to the injuries.

“It’s truly a miracle she is alive today,” said Deputy District Attorney Rachel Erickson, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Aisha Amiri.

Evidence brought to trial included “an extensive number of texts and emails” sent from Hir threatening the victim.

The District Attorney’s Office noted that Hir dismissed his three court-appointed attorneys and represented himself during his trial and wanted to remain in his jail uniform despite civilian clothing being available to him.

Authorities said Hir was previously convicted in 2021 in Clark County, Washington for charges related to domestic violence, including arson, cyberstalking and disclosing intimate images of another person.