ELKINS — Three men were arrested Sunday after they allegedly violently assaulted a homeless person while filming the attack, according to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
On Sunday, July 10, 2022 the West Virginia State Police and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls in regard to a video that had been shared on social media. The video showed a homeless man from Mill Creek being maliciously beaten and kicked by two male subjects. The third male subject recorded and posted the video.
The three individuals involved were identified as Joshua Fortney, 22; Kaiden Pinkerton, 18; and Austin Lanham, 21. The victim in this incident was Michael Currence.
In the video, Currence can be heard yelling, “I didn’t do anything to you,” while actively running away from his attackers. One of the attackers can be heard yelling “kick him, kick him” as well as “kill him” while they are punching and kicking the victim in the head and body.
The video was posted to both Snapchat and Facebook.
The three male attackers have been arrested on charges of malicious assault and are currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail. Trooper Spessert with the WVSP is leading the investigation and was assisted by Lt Talkington and Deputy Knotts of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
