Florida Man Allegedly Set Girlfriend On Fire During Argument
A Florida man is being sought by St. Petersburg police after he allegedly set his girlfriend on fire during a domestic argument. ABC Action News reports that 37-year-old John M. Riggins may still be somewhere in the area where the attack took place, but he has not yet been found.
The incident reportedly took place at approximately 8:00 p.m., Tuesday night, in the vicinity of 2800 24th Avenue South. During an argument with his girlfriend — identified as Sheron K. Pasco — the Florida man became enraged and retrieved a gas can. After returning to confront his girlfriend, he reportedly doused her with the flammable liquid from the can, and then set her on fire.
Fortunately for Sheron K. Pasco, her aunt was also present during the time of the alleged fire assault. She was able to put the woman into a bathtub to extinguish the flames and prevent her from suffering fatal injuries. However, she did not come out of this incident without injury.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that the woman did survive the horrifying assault, but she is reportedly suffering from severe burns on multiple parts of her body. However, the Florida man being sought by authorities also didn’t make it out of the alleged incident without any injuries. Authorities believe that his arms were on fire when he exited the home after allegedly setting fire to his girlfriend. If this is true, then he could be hiding out somewhere with serious burns to his arms or other parts of his upper body.
Mervin Woodard arrested for dousing his former girlfriend with gasoline and setting her on fire. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/CviKjaHU6b
— Stacey Ward (@staceylynnward) June 3, 2016
Believe it or not, this is not the first time someone has reportedly set fire to another person during an argument or other crime. Just a month ago, police in Atlanta arrested a man who was accused of pouring gasoline on a woman and setting her on fire. Clayton County Police say that Mervin Woodard set his ex-girlfriend on fire. He also reportedly drove her to the hospital and abandoned her there, driving off in her vehicle.
Breaking: Johnson Co. coroner confirms remains found in truck involved in wrong-way I-65 crash were Donn Keever’s http://t.co/TGViEzX8SB
— MichaelAnthonyAdams (@MichaelAdams317) July 27, 2015
Also this year, an Arvada, Colorado, man allegedly set fire to his girlfriend in front of at least one of her young children. The 32-year-old man reportedly poured gasoline on the woman before lighting her aflame, which injured her son (who was nearby) in the process. At the time, the woman had a protective order against the man, who has been charged with attempted murder stemming from the incident.
Last year, An Indiana man allegedly attacked his estranged wife by pouring gasoline all over her, before setting her on fire. After the alleged incident — which was reportedly witnessed by multiple members of the victim’s family — the Indiana man reportedly drove head-on into a semi truck, killing himself.
According to Bay News 9, a manhunt is currently underway for the Florida man in this latest case of fire-related assault. Authorities believe that 37-year-old John Riggins could still be in the area, but his whereabouts are unknown. He stands at 6’3? and appears to be of average build for a man of his height. He has short, dark-colored hair, brown eyes, and a tan complexion. He also has tattoos on his arms, but authorities have not clarified on what the designs may be. They have confirmed, however, that they intend to charge him with attempted murder.
If you see this man or know where he may be hiding, please do not hesitate to call 911, as authorities in St. Petersburg are actively searching for him as a fugitive.
[Photo via St. Petersburg Police Dept.]
