Cops: Anchorwoman Attack Seems "Random"

No Indication Morning Television Personality Was Targeted In Savage Beating

(CBS/AP)  Police said Tuesday an attack on a television anchorwoman was being considered a random assault because there is no evidence to suggest that she was targeted because of her high-profile job.

Anne Pressly, 26, was in critical but stable condition Tuesday after a beating at her home in the city's Heights neighborhood - a mix of bungalows and mansions near the Little Rock Country Club.

"Right now, it's being treated as a random incident," police Sgt. Cassandra Davis said. "It's unfortunate that it was Ms. Pressly, a news reporter, someone that's visible in the community. With what we have, we can only treat it as a random attack, that being a robbery."

Investigators had considered whether a stalker or someone in the news recently may have assaulted the anchorwoman, but Davis said there was no evidence of that.

"We've never seen an act carried out on a media personality," Davis told CBS station KTHV in Little Rock. "We have not received a lot of tips."

Pressly, battered and bleeding, was discovered Monday morning a half-hour before she was to appear on KATV's "Daybreak" program. Her mother went to the woman's home after she didn't answer her regular wake-up call.

Davis said Pressly suffered "severe trauma" to her head and initially life-threatening injuries. The woman's condition improved overnight and her family issued a statement Tuesday saying Pressly would eventually recover.

"Anne has a long struggle of recovery ahead of her. She is a fighter, a strong, healthy and physically fit young woman," the statement said. Viewers donated blood to aid in Pressly's recovery, while KATV and Little Rock police established a reward fund at Arvest Bank locations.

Davis said investigators had yet to identify a suspect and were not sure of a motive. Pressly's purse was missing and it was possible a burglar beat her - but there was no sign of forced entry into the home.

Police said detectives had not yet been able to talk with Pressly. Davis said she didn't know whether the anchorwoman was conscious or medically sedated to heal from injuries to her head and upper body.

The police spokeswoman said investigators were still talking with co-workers and friends, many of whom went to the hospital to visit Pressly's family.

While officers were working on the theory that the attack was random, it's still possible that Pressly was targeted. "We're ... trying to see if it had anything to do with her being a news anchor."

KATV is an ABC affiliate.

Pressly had a small role in the Oliver Stone movie "W," which opened Friday. She appeared as a conservative commentator who speaks favorably of President Bush's "Mission Accomplished" event on an aircraft carrier shortly after the start of the Iraq war.

[bgsusc]

typo ;"W" - no political wackos welcome.

[bgsusc]

For some reason, I have a gut feeling this has something to do with her small part in the movie "M".

I can''t wait to hear that she''s completely out of the woods, AND, she identifies her attacker.

[candy-apple]

"It''s unfortunate that it was Ms. Pressly, a news reporter, someone that''s visible in the community. With what we have, we can only treat it as a random attack, that being a robbery."

As opposed to whom?? It''s ok for someone else to be randomly attacked?? Tell that to the "normal" people who are randomly attacked on a daily basis.

[creeper00]

"Random", my @ss. Any cop will tell you that the level of violence demonstrated in this attack indicates deep emotional involvement on the part of the attacker.

They tried to kill this woman. What robber leaves himself liable for a charge of murder?

Perhaps there''s a clue in the bit part she played in "W."...a conservative anchorwoman who praises Bush''s "Mission Accomplished" speech. How easily some nitwit might come to the conclusion that the part reflected her true feelings. Given the level of hostility displayed against women lately, that nitwit might have figured bludgeoning Anne Pressly was fully justified.

This was NOT a "random" attack. I have no confidence that we will ever know what it truly was.

[myopinion381]

niceface09 - You sound like a moron. Go post on the political articles.

[myopinion381]

I see brdliky6 is still healing from that concussion. (At least that all I''m hoping it is).

Hope Ms. Pressley has a full and speedy recovery and that they get who did it to her. Let her have at ''em with a baseball bat. Seems fair to me.

[myopinion381]

Wow! The sickos are sure coming out of the woodwork. What about a "sure hope you get well fast Ms. Pressly" or maybe, "our prayers are for a quick recovery", and maybe "thoughts are with you and your family". Why all the political *** and sicko nonsense when someone is suffering because of another sicko?
Posted by bearswife11 at 11:06 AM

Exactly my opinion too. The "moron" with the multiple posts (on various articles) that makes me see your point the most is ListenupfOOl.

[slim1h2o]

This is how it all went down;

1st man to 2nd man, Got any money?
2nd; Nope, do you?
1st; If I did, would I ask you for some?
2nd; Good point,how are we going to get some?
1st; I know where this cute woman lives, I bet she has some money.
2nd; Lets go,,,careful though,, we don''t want to wake her up......crash!!!
2nd; aww man,, I told you to be quiet, now we have to beat her up, to shut her up...

Any question people?

Oh, and my prayers are with her......

[slim1h2o]

Posted by bearswife11 at 11:06 AM : Oct 22, 2008

New here?

[bearswife11]

Wow! The sickos are sure coming out of the woodwork. What about a "sure hope you get well fast Ms. Pressly" or maybe, "our prayers are for a quick recovery", and maybe "thoughts are with you and your family". Why all the political *** and sicko nonsense when someone is suffering because of another sicko?

[emman3]

I just wanted to say I hope the news Anchorwoman Anne has a speedy recovery.

God Bless