The North Carolina Beat has learned that the man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire outside a Dollar General in Sanford on December 16, 2024, is reportedly also the father of her sister’s child.
Sources close to the situation have confirmed the connection between the suspect, 23-year-old Jami Griffin, and Ashanti Downey’s sister. While The North Carolina Beat will not disclose the sister’s name, the new information have surfaced following Griffin’s arrest. He faces charges of attempted murder and additional felonies after allegedly dousing Downey with gasoline and setting her on fire as she walked toward the store.
Boyfriend Arrested For Allegedly Setting 20-Year-Old Girlfriend on Fire in North Carolina
Victim’s Condition and Hospitalization
Police were alerted to the horrific crime around 6:55 p.m. by staff at Central Hospital, where Downey was admitted as a burn victim. She sustained second- and third-degree burns on the right side of her body and was later transferred to a specialized burn center. As of now, Downey remains in critical but stable condition.
An update Friday posted on a GoFundMe set up for Ahanti read:
“Hello everyone, I just wanted to give an update on Ashanti’s progress. She is still in critical but stable condition and is off the ventilator. She is moving her limbs and is able to talk. Please keep her in your prayers as she undergoes another surgery next Monday. She is still fighting, and she said she appreciates all the love and donations as she journeys through her fight.”
Initial reports, including one from CBS 17, indicated that three men were involved in the attack. However, a source said that Downey’s mother, Donecia Downey, mentioned in a now-delete social media comment that two other men were present but panicked and drove Ashanti to the hospital.
They allegedly portrayed themselves as witnesses to an unknown attacker rather than accomplices. The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office has yet to confirm these claims or provide further details about the incident and/or if there are more suspects.
Shocking Family Connection
In a Facebook comment on a post by user India Berry, Donecia confirmed that the suspect, Jami Griffin, is the father of her other daughter’s child, adding more complexity and shock to an already disturbing case.
Community Support for Ashanti Downey
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Ashanti with her mounting medical expenses.
Jami Raiziah Griffin need immediate sleep. Inject him with a syringe full of fentanyl put him to sleep
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Now that is some messed up s@#$. So sad for all parties involved. I hope he gets the worse penalty he can suffer.