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Louisiana woman set on fire; 'KKK' smeared on her car, police say
A Louisiana woman is in critical condition after she was set on fire, resulting in burns on roughly 60 percent of her body, and her car appears to have had racial slurs written on it at the time of her attack.
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Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, had parked by a walking trail in Civitan Park in Winnsboro, La., on Sunday evening to go exercise, her mother told The Shreveport Times, when she was set on fire.
Moffitt told police she couldn’t recognize the race of her attackers but she said she thought they were wearing white hoodies. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb confirmed that the letters “KKK” and the N-word were scrawled across the hood of her car, written in some sort of paste-like substance, reported KSLA in Louisiana.
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Police are not yet classifying the incident as a hate crime. The Louisiana State Police, the Winnsboro Police Department, the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are all assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Moffitt said she was alone at the time but was able to put the fire out herself with a water spigot. When an officer arrived to the scene less than a minute later, she told police that three males had intentionally doused her with flammable liquid and set her ablaze.
She was rushed to the burn unit of the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, La., where she was listed in critical condition, the News Star reported.
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Investigators said Monday were unable to question Moffitt further because of the severity of her burns. Moffitt’s mother, Edna Moffitt, said her daughter was scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to treat the burns on her chest, back, arms and legs.
“They want to take the dead skin off and place other skin there if they can,” Edna Moffitt told The Shreveport Times.
Winnsboro Police said they will be tightening security at the park as a result of the incident.
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“This is a horrific event for our community,” Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb said Monday. “It makes everyone uneasy. It is our hope that everyone stands together at this time, and follow the information that is gathered, follow the facts, follow the evidence, and, hopefully, that will lead us to justice in this case."
Police said they have no suspects or motives in the attack but are pursuing all avenues of investigation. They are currently awaiting the results of a scientific analysis by the Northwest Louisiana Crime Lab of physical evidence found at the scene.
“I have no idea who did it,” Edna Moffitt told The Shreveport Times. “I want them to pay for what they did to her.”
A candlelight vigil for Moffitt is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in Civitan Park.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/23/14646977-louisiana-woman-set-on-fire-kkk-smeared-on-her-car-police-say
Follow @NBCNewsUS
Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, had parked by a walking trail in Civitan Park in Winnsboro, La., on Sunday evening to go exercise, her mother told The Shreveport Times, when she was set on fire.
Moffitt told police she couldn’t recognize the race of her attackers but she said she thought they were wearing white hoodies. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb confirmed that the letters “KKK” and the N-word were scrawled across the hood of her car, written in some sort of paste-like substance, reported KSLA in Louisiana.
Advertise | AdChoices
Police are not yet classifying the incident as a hate crime. The Louisiana State Police, the Winnsboro Police Department, the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are all assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Moffitt said she was alone at the time but was able to put the fire out herself with a water spigot. When an officer arrived to the scene less than a minute later, she told police that three males had intentionally doused her with flammable liquid and set her ablaze.
She was rushed to the burn unit of the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, La., where she was listed in critical condition, the News Star reported.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
Investigators said Monday were unable to question Moffitt further because of the severity of her burns. Moffitt’s mother, Edna Moffitt, said her daughter was scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to treat the burns on her chest, back, arms and legs.
“They want to take the dead skin off and place other skin there if they can,” Edna Moffitt told The Shreveport Times.
Winnsboro Police said they will be tightening security at the park as a result of the incident.
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
“This is a horrific event for our community,” Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb said Monday. “It makes everyone uneasy. It is our hope that everyone stands together at this time, and follow the information that is gathered, follow the facts, follow the evidence, and, hopefully, that will lead us to justice in this case."
Police said they have no suspects or motives in the attack but are pursuing all avenues of investigation. They are currently awaiting the results of a scientific analysis by the Northwest Louisiana Crime Lab of physical evidence found at the scene.
“I have no idea who did it,” Edna Moffitt told The Shreveport Times. “I want them to pay for what they did to her.”
A candlelight vigil for Moffitt is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in Civitan Park.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/23/14646977-louisiana-woman-set-on-fire-kkk-smeared-on-her-car-police-say
"...Race will always divide this country...So sad! So terrible!..."
It's ironic that you posted that comment. At the time you posted it, the thought was that it was a racially motivated hate-crime.
But now that new evidence has come to light, it appears that she was the one that perpetrated the incident.
I just find the irony a little thick, ya know?
You've seen & read me post comments, on other threads, about the fact that I feel that black people (in general) are keeping racism alive.
This could be used as evidence?
Don't take this like I'm tossing it in your face, MrsP. You know me better than that. I just think it's funny (ironic not ha-ha) that I was actually right about something for once (in this specific instance, mind you, but I'm still on the money for the first time in memory!).
I'm never right about anything, so you gotta give me ONE!
(***I'll agree with Amanda though... this chick needs help, and I hope she gets some***)
It's ironic that you posted that comment. At the time you posted it, the thought was that it was a racially motivated hate-crime.
But now that new evidence has come to light, it appears that she was the one that perpetrated the incident.
I just find the irony a little thick, ya know?
You've seen & read me post comments, on other threads, about the fact that I feel that black people (in general) are keeping racism alive.
This could be used as evidence?
Don't take this like I'm tossing it in your face, MrsP. You know me better than that. I just think it's funny (ironic not ha-ha) that I was actually right about something for once (in this specific instance, mind you, but I'm still on the money for the first time in memory!).
I'm never right about anything, so you gotta give me ONE!
(***I'll agree with Amanda though... this chick needs help, and I hope she gets some***)
Wow.
Well, here is the other side of the sick spectrum. As soon as she is healed up, put her *** in an institution and leave here there with a few daily doses of lithium. This woman is a danger to the entire community.... if she'll do this to herself, she is probably capable of anything.
(Not that I'd ever defend the KKK,(I hate the KKK and anything and everything they stand for) but for this lady to make this whole thing up and try to blame them is just sad.... it is sad that someone is so ill, that they would fabricate this story.) I don't know the motivation behind this woman's actions. What was she trying to get?
I've had a real bad chemical burn that hurt for a good long time. I hope she enjoys this and everything that comes with it.
(Not that I'd ever defend the KKK,(I hate the KKK and anything and everything they stand for) but for this lady to make this whole thing up and try to blame them is just sad.... it is sad that someone is so ill, that they would fabricate this story.) I don't know the motivation behind this woman's actions. What was she trying to get?
I've had a real bad chemical burn that hurt for a good long time. I hope she enjoys this and everything that comes with it.
OMG! Sick Chick! She not only needs mental help. That is waaaay extreme!
I just wished they had waited until Al Sharpton came down before they let the “Cat Out of the Bag.” He still hasn’t apologized about the Tawana Brawley hoax.
Mind boggling isn't it. There have been stories like this before though. It's just crazy the things people will do for attention. Sad.
"I hope she gets the mental health help she obviously so desperately needs"
I hope so! Geesh I can't even believe she'd do that to herself....
I hope so! Geesh I can't even believe she'd do that to herself....
I hope she gets the mental health help she obviously so desperately needs
OMG!!...What a Freaking IDOT!..I'm so mad I even ever felt sorry for her....
SHREVEPORT - Authorities said today that their investigation revealed a woman who claimed she'd been set on fire by three men in Franklin Parish had actually set herself on fire.
Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, was in critical condition today after the incident this past weekend. Police said she'd told then the men who'd set her on fire had also written "KKK" and racial slurs on her car.
Today, investigators said Moffitt's fingerprints had actually been found on a lighter and container of lighter fluid, and that other evidence also indicated she had in fact started the fire.
This evening, Moffitt's family released the following statement:
"Our family is devastated to learn the circumstances surrounding our daughter's injuries. While this was not the resolution we had expected, it is a resolution, and we appreciate the thorough investigation by the local and state police as well as federal agencies.
"We are sincerely sorry for any problems this may have caused and wish to express our appreciation for the outpouring of love, prayers and support we have received from friends, acquaintances, church organizations and government officials.
"Over the coming days and weeks, our focus will be on Sharmeka and her recovery. We ask that you continue to pray for her and for our family, and that you respect our privacy at this difficult time."
News 2 will have more on this developing story tonight at 10 p.m.
Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, was in critical condition today after the incident this past weekend. Police said she'd told then the men who'd set her on fire had also written "KKK" and racial slurs on her car.
Today, investigators said Moffitt's fingerprints had actually been found on a lighter and container of lighter fluid, and that other evidence also indicated she had in fact started the fire.
This evening, Moffitt's family released the following statement:
"Our family is devastated to learn the circumstances surrounding our daughter's injuries. While this was not the resolution we had expected, it is a resolution, and we appreciate the thorough investigation by the local and state police as well as federal agencies.
"We are sincerely sorry for any problems this may have caused and wish to express our appreciation for the outpouring of love, prayers and support we have received from friends, acquaintances, church organizations and government officials.
"Over the coming days and weeks, our focus will be on Sharmeka and her recovery. We ask that you continue to pray for her and for our family, and that you respect our privacy at this difficult time."
News 2 will have more on this developing story tonight at 10 p.m.
I got mine! and her name is Lucielle....:)
I would advise any woman to get a gun, and use it if need be. I have and I will.
This makes me sick to my stomach.
This makes me sick to my stomach.
Oh my God.... So screwed up.... So, so screwed up. I hope they're found and burned, just the same.
Race will always divide this country...So sad! So terrible!
Oh Lord. How awful. That poor poor woman. I couldn't imagine how awful that was. :0(
There are some ****ed up people in this world. They deserve to be burned, just like they did to her. Eye for an eye baby.
:0(
There are some ****ed up people in this world. They deserve to be burned, just like they did to her. Eye for an eye baby.
:0(
The Klan doing this would be very rare in this time. But whoever did this may they burn for it.
That is absolutely disgusting. I hope they find them.
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