Suspected Former Employee Allegedly Sets Two Women on Fire Outside Detroit Business

A horrific act of violence occurred yesterday when a disgruntled former employee allegedly set two women on fire outside a business on West Grand Boulevard. The victims, two women in their 50s and 60s, were beginning their workday when they encountered the suspect. Detroit Police Chief James White described the suspect as a former employee who had been recently fired or suspended, as reported by CBS News Detroit. 

According to ClickOnDetroit, the attacker apparently had been waiting in the parking lot and decided to rather indiscriminately target individuals arriving for work. The women, who are expected to survive their injuries, were doused with gasoline and set alight. White emphasized the cruel nature of the incident, stating, "This is absurd and it’s sad."

Witnesses played a crucial role in detaining the suspect, as one individual notably tackled and held down the attacker until the police could take over. The suspect, whose name and age have not been disclosed, was arrested and received medical attention for minor injuries. The investigation, led by the Detroit Police, will soon hand over the case to the prosecutor's office with expectations for serious charges, according to a statement obtained by FOX 2 Detroit.

Chief White said, "They plan to submit paperwork to the prosecutor's office to charge the suspect with attempted murder, among other charges." Furthermore, the suspect reportedly has a history of violent encounters with law enforcement, though White refrained from disclosing further details to avoid prejudicing potential jurors. Fire Investigation Division Chief Dennis Richardson admonished the unnecessarily violent and vicious nature of the attack. Both victims are being treated for serious injuries, primarily affecting their face, neck, and shoulder areas, as mentioned by FOX 2 Detroit.