NC Woman Burned Alive, Mother and Son Charged

A North Carolina woman was seriously injured in an event where police say she was covered in gasoline and set on fire. Police in Sanford arrested 23-year-old Jami Raiziah Griffin on Dec. 27, 2024 — more than a week after he allegedly set 20-year-old Ashanti Downey on fire. In a shocking twist, just four days later on New Year's Eve, Griffin's mother Latonya Renee Murchison, 44, was also arrested in connection with the same incident.

The Attack

Downey had been walking near Barbecue Church Road in Sanford to go to a Dollar General^® store when someone approached her from behind, threw gasoline on her, and used a cigarette to light her on fire. She was taken to the hospital with third-degree burns on the right side of her body, and is in critical but stable condition, according to reports.

Authorities say Downey and Griffin were living together when the incident happened on Dec. 16, 2024.

Family's Outrage

Before the arrests, Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats said the attack on Downey was "just a nightmare for this family," according to PEOPLE.

Downey's mother, Donecia Davis, said she was shocked by the incident. "How could they do this to my baby?" Davis told WRAL-TV, as reported by PEOPLE. "You didn't have to do this to her."

In a GoFundMe created to help with Downey's medical costs, her mother explained that her daughter was supposed to celebrate her 21st birthday on Jan. 1, 2025. She also wrote that "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."

Donors had contributed more than $110,000 to the fundraiser as of Jan. 10, 2025.

'Mystified by What's Happened'

Coats said that at the time of the attack, authorities believed the incident could have been related to domestic issues. Early reports from WNCN-TV mentioned that deputies suspected more than one person was involved. "It could have been a gang initiation," Coats explained at the time of the incident. "We're mystified by what's happened," as reported by PEOPLE.

Griffin is now facing serious charges, including felony attempted murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, and misdemeanor assault on a female, according to the Harnett County Sheriff's Office and reports from WTVD-TV, WNCN-TV, and WRAL-TV. He is currently being held at the Harnett County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.

Murchison was arrested on New Year's Eve on the charges of accessory after the fact. She is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Meanwhile, Downey remains in critical but stable condition at the hospital, where she is receiving treatment for her severe injuries. As she continues to fight for her recovery, her family, friends, and the community are standing by her side.

This investigation is ongoing.

References: Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Allegedly Dousing Woman in Gasoline and Setting Her on Fire: 'Just a Nightmare' | 'How Could They Do This?': Young Woman Doused In Gasoline And Set On Fire While Walking To Store; Suspect Held On $1 Million Bond | 'How could they do this to my baby?': Man held on $1 million bond for setting woman on fire | GoFundMe: Ashanti's Fight: Overcoming 70 Percent Burn Injury | Sanford man faces attempted murder after woman set on fire in Harnett County, deputies say | Mother of man charged with setting Harnett County woman on fire also arrested