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On December 16, 2024, 20-year-old Ashanti Downey was set on fire after being doused with gasoline. The Harnett County Sheriff's Office shared that a 23-year-old man from North Carolina, Jami Raiziah Griffin, was arrested on December 27, and is being faced with the attempted murder of Downey.
Authorities reported that Downey was walking near N.C. 27 West and Barbecue Church Road when three unidentified people allegedly doused her with gasoline and set her on fire using a cigarette.
Griffin is currently being held without bail at the Harnett County Detention Center and is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday. While speaking to WRAL-TV, Donecia Davis expressed shock at the incident and said:
"How could they do this to my baby? You didn't have to do this to her."
Sheriff of Harnett County, Wayne Coats said:
“It’s just a nightmare for this family.”
Ashanti Downey's GoFundMe
Ashanti Downey's mother, Donecia Davis, has set up a GoFundMe with an initial goal of $75k; the campaign already surpassed this goal and has managed to raise over $93k. According to Davis, Ashanti Downey has 'sustained 3rd-degree burns over 70% of her body and is now in critical condition.' Davis has set up the account to help with medical expenses and unpaid leave costs while supporting her daughter’s recovery.
In a heartwrenching description, Donecia Davis said that this incident would change Downey's life forever. Ashanti who would have turned 21 on January 1, 2025, is recovering from severe second and third-degree burns. Davis wrote:
"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."
She continued with:
"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."
In the description of the GoFundMe campaign, Davis said that the funds would be used for:
"Medical bills from current and future surgeries, ongoing treatment, and rehab. While my insurance will contribute toward some of the cost, there will still be additional expenses not covered by insurance."
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Although one suspect has been taken into custody, there haven't been any reports of two others who were reportedly involved in Ashanti Downey's attempted murder.
Sheriff of Harnett County, Wayne Coats urged people with any information to come forward to help the authorities in their investigation. Anyone with details can contact 910-893-0151 (Detective Ronald Beasley), the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office at 910-893-9111, the tip line at 910-893-0300, or submit a tip at the website, P3Tips.com.
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