A 36-year-old Miami man, Yang L. Chiong, has been arrested and charged in connection with a Molotov cocktail assault that left a teenager with severe burns and endangered several children, according to authorities. The attack, which is believed to have taken place on March 25 at a residence in the 27000 block of Southwest 143rd Place, resulted in a teenage girl sustaining burns to 40-45% of her body, as reported by Local 10. Chiong is facing seven counts of attempted murder and one count of first-degree arson conspiracy.
Evidence from the day of the incident suggests Chiong had someone else purchase a mason jar, candle wick, and other materials before he allegedly arrived at the house around 8:30 p.m. to hurl the incendiary device through a window. The attack was reportedly captured on a nearby camera, showing an individual in dark clothing approaching in a white vehicle and launching a flaming object through the home's window, followed by a "sudden large burst of fire," NBC Miami detailed. This individual is purported to be Chiong, despite his defense attorney's assertion that he had on a GPS ankle monitor at the time, and his whereabouts were known.
The attack left a teenage girl in a recliner engulfed in flames, and though she was quickly taken outside and doused with a hose by family members, she had to be airlifted to the burn unit of NCA Kendall Hospital. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue investigators later confirmed the fire was set intentionally, based on materials found at the scene which aligned with the homemade bomb. "Inside the house were pieces of glass from a mason-type jar with a partially burnt wick in the lid, along with a hole in a window," according to the report by NBC Miami.
Authorities found text messages allegedly sent by Chiong in which one read, "I'm on a mission to find a way to get revenge," and another warned, "Im telling you I want that b---- life miserable." In addition to the arson and attempted murder charges, Chiong was previously arrested for domestic violence, and he has a separate domestic abuse case in Monroe County. His ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of their child together, believed the brutal attack against her family was because he was upset she wouldn't drop criminal charges against him, NBC Miami reported. Chiong is currently being held without bond, awaiting his next court appearance.
