Fully shackled inmate accused of attempted murder escapes Oregon mental hospital in stolen van

A man whom authorities describe as posing an extreme danger to the public who was recently transferred to Oregon’s psychiatric hospital escaped from custody while fully shackled, stealing a van and driving away, according to the Oregon State Police.

On Wednesday at approximately 10:45 PM, Christopher Lee Pray, 39, escaped Oregon State Hospital in Salem. He was in custody at the Multnomah County jail for multiple charges, including attempted aggravated murder, and had been transferred to the facility on August 30.

When he escaped, Pray was “…fully restrained with leg shackles, a belly chain, handcuffs, and a restraint connecting all three together,” and was wearing a white t-shirt, maroon sweatpants, and black rubber slippers.

A spokesman for the hospital told local media that one of their employees was injured during the escape. During “an altercation with another patient” after he was admitted, Pray was taken away for treatment and when he was brought back to the facility that night in an unmarked Oregon State Hospital van he was “able to gain control of the van and drive away.”

According to law enforcement, Pray stole a white 2016 Dodge Caravan, with Oregon license plate E265614, and managed to lose his pursuers while headed southbound on Interstate 5 after authorities ended the pursuit due to safety concerns. Pray has ties to the Portland area.

The 39-year-old white man is described as 6 feet tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, trimmed facial hair, and stitches on his upper lip. He also has A tattoo on his right arm that says “Pray,” an “S” on his right forearm, and another tattoo on his neck that possibly says “supreme.”
 

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Pray is accused of using a gun to rob a woman in Multnomah County on March 12, 2022, nearly killing her. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in charging documents that Pray was a felon who could not legally own a gun.

Pray also faces charges in connection to a June 4, 2022 incident in which he allegedly assaulted his domestic partner with a tool and drove recklessly.

Authorities said that Pray is considered extremely dangerous and should not be approached and informed the public to call 911 and report any sightings of Pray or of the vehicle he was operating.