Horror Unfolds Outside Detroit Workplace
DETROIT, MI – In a horrifying incident that has left the community in shock, two women were severely burned after a disgruntled co-worker allegedly drenched them with gasoline and set them on fire. The incident occurred on Monday morning outside Tompkins Products on Detroit’s west side.
According to the Detroit Police Department, the two women had just arrived at work and were exiting their vehicle when the male co-worker attacked. He reportedly poured gasoline on them and ignited the blaze with a cigarette lighter. This violent act comes less than a year after a new report suggested a decline in violent crimes within the city.
Victims in critical condition
Both victims were immediately rushed to a local hospital, where they are being treated for serious injuries. Medical reports indicate that the women sustained burns on their face, neck, and shoulders.
Detroit Fire Department Fire Investigation Chief Dennis Richardson described the attack as “vicious.”
“It was unnecessarily violent… I think the citizens of the city are tired of this type of action. I know I am,” Chief Richardson stated.
The suspect also sustained minor injuries during the incident and has since been arrested. His name and age have not been released to the public.
Motive and charges
Detroit Police Chief James White revealed that the suspect was an employee at Tompkins Products and had recently been either suspended or terminated. He believed the women were partly responsible for his job loss.
“He encountered two other employees that he perceived as being a part of the reason he was suspended or terminated. He took an accelerant to the vehicle that they were sitting in and poured it on the vehicle around the vehicle, lit that vehicle on fire,” Chief White explained.
Chief White indicated that prosecutors are likely to file attempted murder charges against the suspect.
“We’re going to be going after some additional charges. Fire is looking at some things with some arson charges as well. We’re going to be looking for, at the very least, an attempted murder charge,” he said.
A troubling past
The suspect has a history of violent behavior, having been arrested multiple times for similar acts. However, Chief White refrained from providing further details, stating, “I don’t want to taint the jury pool by speaking of previous bad acts or anything like that, so we’ll leave that there.”
This shocking act of violence has left the Detroit community reeling, and many are calling for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure justice is served.
