ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Circle K clerk who was doused with gasoline and then lit on fire suffered injuries that the Escambia County sheriff described as “serious, horrific, (and) life-threatening.”
Escambia County sheriff’s deputies arrested Betty Jean McFadden on charges of attempted homicide, after investigators said McFadden attacked the clerk.
In a tweet, deputies said that the victim had asked McFadden, who is homeless, not to panhandle outside the store. McFadden is accused of returning that afternoon, pouring gasoline on the clerk, and then throwing lit matches at her until she caught fire. A second employee at Circle K was burned while saving the victim.
Betty Jean McFadden (DOB: 12/7/91) was arrested for setting a convenience store clerk on fire today.
— ECSO News (@ECSONews) March 30, 2022
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family. This is a senseless and practically indescribable act of cruelty.” - Sheriff Chip W. Simmons pic.twitter.com/sJkbUymiuk
Deputies said McFadden “calmly walked out of the store” and was located a few blocks away.
The family of the store clerk who was attacked identified her as Joie Hellmich to WEAR, saying the mother of two is in critical but stable condition at a hospital. In a statement sent to WEAR the family said, “We heard the news from a good Samaritan who called us from scene. He was not the only angel at the scene and we are profoundly grateful for the people who acted with nothing short of true heroism yesterday.”
UPDATE: The family of the Circle K burn victim has identified her as 37 year old Joie Hellmich. Her best friend providing these pictures. In a statement, her family says Joie is in critical but stable condition. They’re thanking the community for their support.@weartv pic.twitter.com/j4y6WQwKzw
— Brent Kearney (@BKearneyTV) March 31, 2022
Detectives told The Pensacola News Journal there were multiple witnesses to the attack, which was also captured by security cameras inside the store.
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