In a harrowing incident of violence, Harnett County authorities have reported the arrest of a suspect after a woman was subjected to a fiery assault earlier this month. On December 16, according to a statement obtained by ABC11, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office received an emergency call from Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford regarding a burn victim. The victim has been identified as 20-year-old Ashanti Downey, who was admitted with severe burns on her right side.
The Sheriff's Office confirmed that Jami Raiziah Griffin, 23, was apprehended yesterday in relation to this incident. Court records cited by CBS17 disclose that Griffin is now facing charges that include attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and assault on a female. He is currently being held without bond at the Harnett County Detention Center, and his court appearance is set for next Monday.
Further details provided by The News & Observer suggest that the suspect allegedly doused Downey with gasoline before lighting her on fire with a cigarette. The injuries sustained by Downey are of a critical nature, with second-and third-degree burns that have left her hospitalized at the UNC Burn Center in a stable, but critical condition. Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the attack nor the relationship, if any, between Griffin and Downey.
In an additional twist, Griffin was also charged on November 6 for making a threatening phone call to another woman, further complicating the legal landscape he now faces. Anyone who might have information relating to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Ronald Beasley or the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.
