A disturbing new video shows the moment when a California woman doused a man with a flammable liquid and then set him on fire, KMPH-TV reports.
The incident occurred this past Thursday at a park in Sanger, California, near Fresno. Authorities allege that 48-year-old Patricia Castillo walked up to the victim while he was sitting on the grass and threw gasoline on him.
An argument ensued and Castillo ignited a lighter, causing the man’s clothes to catch fire.
Footage from a security camera recording appears to show Castillo repeatedly trying to ignite the man’s clothes. In multiple instances, she steps forward and a flash or flame can be seen near her hand, prompting the man to move back. This repeats several times until the man’s clothes catch fire.
“The video shows Castillo approaching the victim and throwing a liquid from a cup onto [him] and she and the victim appear to argue before Castillo sparks a lighter and lights the victim on fire,” the Sanger Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.
Police and medics responded to the scene at about 9:15 p.m., and the victim was rushed to a local hospital with severe but non-life-threatening injuries; he is expected to survive.
Prosecutors have charged Castillo with attempted murder, arson, and conspiracy, according to the police department.
Officers also arrested 43-year-old Leonard Hawkins, who is accused of providing the gasoline to Castillo. Both Castillo and Hawkins were booked into the Fresno County Jail, according to CBS News.
It is not clear whether the victim knew Castillo before the incident or what may have prompted the attack.
Police are continuing to investigate what happened.
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[Featured image: Security footage screenshot/City of Sanger, California]
