A 20-year-old North Carolina woman, was set on fire in Harnett County, NC, resulting in third-degree burns.
The incident happened on December 16th while Ashanti Downey was walking towards a Dollar General store. An unidentified person ambushed Downey by coming up behind her, dousing her with gas, and then setting her on fire.
She was rushed to Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC. A hospital staff reported the incident to authorities.
The family established a GoFundMe page named Ashanti’s Fight: Overcoming 70 Percent Burn Injury.
So far, over $30,000 was raised as of Thursday, 3:00 pm EST.
Downey’s mother, Donecia Davis, posted the following message on the GoFundMe findraiser 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.”
Authorities are searching for three assailants connected to the crime, and requesting that if anyone has any leads, to contact Detective Ronald Beasley at (910) 893-0151 or the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 893-9111.
