Suspect Accused Of Dousing A Woman In Gasoline And Setting Her On Fire At A Florida Taco Bell
It’s unclear whether the suspect, Mia Williams, knew the victim, who was airlifted to the hospital with severe burns.
A suspect is in custody after authorities say the person walked into a Florida Taco Bell, doused a woman in gasoline and set her on fire.
Mia Williams, 32, was taken into custody Thursday morning after a massive search effort by authorities to track Williams—who police said identifies as a black female—down after she fled the scene Wednesday night, Tallahassee Police said in a statement.
The attack occurred around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday when Williams allegedly walked into the busy Taco Bell during the dinner rush and set the victim on fire, according to The Tallahassee Democrat. Williams then fled the restaurant on foot wearing a black shirt, tan capris and a red wrap on her head.
The victim, who has not been identified by authorities, was airlifted in a helicopter to a local hospital with serious burns.
It's not clear whether Williams knew the victim or what may have prompted the alleged attack. Authorities have also not said whether the woman was an employee at the restaurant or if she had been a customer.
Rachelle Denmark, a spokeswoman for the Tallahassee Police Department, told the local paper that authorities plan to announce the charges against Williams at a later update to the media. She has been described as a suspect in an attempted murder.
The incident is being investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, the Tallahassee Fire Department, the state Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Anyone with any information about the case is urged to contact authorities.