Ashanti Downey, Sanford, North Carolina woman doused with gas and set on fire by ex live in boyfriend, Jami Raiziah Griffin, while walking along highway to dollar store.
A 20 year old North Carolina woman has suffered burns to 70% of her body after being doused with gas and set on fire while walking to a dollar store earlier this month.
Ashanti Downey was walking to the Dollar General store along Highway 27 in Sanford, Harnett County when she was allegedly attacked from behind by 23-year-old-man, Jami Raiziah Griffin on December 16.
The suspect who until recently was the victim’s ‘live in boyfriend,’ was arrested on Friday and now faces felony charges, including; attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and assault on a female.
Ashanti Downey to undergo third surgery and rehab following fire attack
The incident which occurred just weeks before the victim’s 21st birthday left Downey hospitalised with second and 3rd degree burns over 70% of her body and in critical condition as she continues to recover weeks later according to ABC11.
‘No parent should have to see their child in the condition my daughter is in,’ Donecia Davis, the mother of Ashanti Downey, wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser. ‘My daughter will be celebrating her 21st birthday on January 1, 2025, and due to the hatred of an individual or individuals, her life will be forever changed,’ Davis said.
Adding, ‘She was brutally attacked by an assailant … She was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire. She has sustained 3rd degree burns over 70 percent of her body and is now in critical condition.’
In a Christmas Day update, Davis wrote that her daughter will be going through a third surgery soon. The money raised will help the family offset the cost of those surgeries, as well as treatment and rehab, she added.
Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats described the fire attack as one of the most ‘heinous’ crimes his department has ever investigated, saying, ‘It’s just a nightmare for this family,’ according to WRAL.
Investigators have since discovered that Ashanti and Jami Griffin were living together when he carried out the attack according to CBS17.
‘How could they do this to my baby?’ Davis told WRAL in a phone interview. ‘You didn’t have to do this to her.’
Griffin is due in court on Monday, Dec. 30, and is being held at the Harnett County Detention Center. No bond is currently listed.
Anyone with information is asked to please call Detective Ronald Beasley at (910) 893-0151 or the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 893-9111.
