UPDATE: Dispute Leads To Stabbing Outside Fair

HARRISONBURG — A Shenandoah man was arrested and charged with malicious wounding after a stabbing occurred outside the Rockingham County Fair late Friday night.

Frank Comer Sr., 48, was arrested as he tried to leave the fairgrounds' parking lot where the incident occurred, Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson said. Comer is accused of stabbing Brian Purdham, 32, also of Shenandoah.

According to Hutcheson, the two men argued after the fair's demolition derby, which ended earlier Friday night. Conflicting reports indicate the dispute may or may not have been about the derby itself, Hutcheson said, though neither man was a participant in the derby. Regardless of the nature of the disagreement, it eventually led to the stabbing at about 11 p.m., Hutcheson said.

Purdham suffered a stab wound to his midsection and was transported to Rockingham Memorial Hospital, then flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. Purdham's injuries were considered potentially life-threatening, Hutcheson said.

Comer is being held without bond at Rockingham County Jail.

The Daily News-Record will have a complete report on this story in Monday's print and online editions.