Prineville, Ore. – A Prineville man was arrested late Monday and is now facing multiple felony charges after a disturbing video surfaced on Facebook showing a man with a bloodied face — footage that police have confirmed is connected to an ongoing criminal investigation.
The video was posted Monday evening to the Facebook account of Lindley Purrington. It shows an unidentified man, visibly injured and bleeding, speaking incoherently. An unseen individual can be heard saying: “This is what Atlas does to people who torture him.”
While the video does not show the assault itself, it prompted immediate concern and was quickly brought to the attention of local authorities. While the video is believed by many to have been recorded by Purrington, the Prineville Review has yet been able to confirm
According to Crook County Jail records, a Lindley Drew Purington, 26, was arrested later Monday night and booked on charges of:
- Attempted Murder in the Second Degree,
- Assault in the Second Degree, and
- Burglary in the First Degree.
Purington is currently being held without bail.
The Prineville Police Department acknowledged the video in a statement posted to its Facebook page late Monday, stating:
“We are aware of a video that is currently circulating on social media. Our department is actively and thoroughly investigating the situation to determine all the facts. We want to reassure the public that there is no threat to the safety of our community at this time. We take these matters seriously and will take appropriate action as needed. We have all involved parties accounted for and more information will be available as the investigation continues.”
Police have not yet released the identity or medical condition of the man seen injured in the footage, nor have they confirmed who recorded it.
The incident follows closely on the heels of a homicide case in northwest Prineville, where Martin Ray Terry, also of Prineville, was arrested and charged over the weekend with murder and attempted murder in a fatal disturbance on NW 10th Street that took place on Friday. According to a statement sent to the Prineville Review by Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn yesterday, Terry is charged with the murder of Robert Allen Winter, as well as for seriously injuring another man identified as Steven Hutchinson.
Purrington was also charged in late May with Theft in the Second Degree in Deschutes County, followed by the issuance of a failure to appear warrant after he failed to attend a record June 16th court hearing. The DA submitted a motion to dismiss the charges just days later.
Shortly after initial publication Prineville Police Chief Jeff Profio responded to a request for comment with a press release confirming the incident happened on the 800 block of 3rd Street and located the suspect, Perrington, who was then arrested.
“The initial investigation revealed that this was a completely unprovoked attack by the suspect. Prineville Police arrested Lindley Drew Purrington, age 26, at the scene,” said Profio. “The Prineville Police Department is aware of a video that was posted on social media of this heinous attack. They have asked that the video be removed.”
The investigation is ongoing and there are no further details that can be release at this time. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Prineville Police Department at 541-447-4168. The investigator is Officer Kelson Stewart and he can be reached at [email protected].
This is a developing story. The Prineville Review will continue to report as new information becomes available.
Note: Updated at 2:27pm on 7/1 to include details from a statement released by Prineville Police Chief Jeff Profio.
