Prineville community shows support for stabbing victims

The community of Prineville came together on Tuesday, dozens wearing purple and turquoise ribbons and packing a courtroom to support the two victims of an alleged attempted murder and rape.

Anthony James Smith, 25, of Prineville, was arraigned on charges of stabbing two women early on Jan. 29 inside an apartment complex on the 2000 block of NE Elk Street. in Prineville.

An 11-count indictment returned last Friday accuses Smith of four counts of attempted murder (two while attempting a rape and burglary), two counts of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree attempted rape, three counts of first-degree burglary and one count of first-degree kidnapping.

Stephanie Mathis said she didn’t know and in fact had never met the two victims before, but felt she needed to do something to let the women know the community was standing with them.

“It really hit close to home,” Mathis said.

Mathis and friends grabbed some fabric and hot glue and made several ribbons of the two victims’ favorite colors.

The ribbons have been available at several businesses for people to grab and wear, and have become very popular with community members, from friends to gas attendants showing their support.

Stephanie Bishop, one of the victims who was stabbed in the neck and ran for help came face to face with her accused attacker Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Crook County prosecutors, Smith, a former security guard at the Facebook data center told investigators he blacked out that night and didn’t remember attacking his victims. Investigators said Smith’s hands and clothes were covered in blood when he was arrested.

After the court hearing, family and friends gathered outside the courthouse to give hugs of support to the victim and her family.

For Mathis, the ribbons are a simple message of standing together as a community to say violence is not tolerated in their city.

Smith is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail and is back in court on Feb. 21.