Two weeks ago, Ashanti Downey was set on fire in Harnett County and sustained some third-degree burns. The now-21-year-old was in the vicinity of N.C. 27 West and Barbecue Church Road when she said three strangers doused her with gasoline and set her ablaze with a cigarette, according to a news release cited by CBS17.
23-year-old Jami Raiziah Griffin, who has been accused of being involved in the crime, was given a $1 million bond by Judge Joy Jones on Monday and was issued an order to make no contact with the victim or her family.
After an investigation, deputies discovered that Griff and Downey knew each other and were living together at the time of the incident.
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Griffin is the only one of the three people described by the victim that has been arrested thus far. He was charged with felony attempted first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and misdemeanor assault on a female.
Griffin was first jailed in the Harnett County Detention Center on no bond due to a domestic violence hold because he knew Downey before the incident. Griffin is expected to appear in court again on January 14.
Authorities also no longer think that anyone else was involved.
Downey suffered second- and third-degree burns on her right side after being set on fire. Deputies were originally notified of the incident while she was being treated in the emergency room at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford for significant injuries.
Later, she was stable and listed as critical.
Downey’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the expenses associated with the incident. Since it was established a week ago, it has raised more than $104,000.
Her mother, Donecia Davis, wrote on the fundraiser page, “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.”
“No parent should have to see their child in the condition my daughter is in. I am making her my top priority and have been by her side at the hospital since this incident occurred.”
