In Florida a woman named Betty Jean doused the cashier of a gas station Joie Hellmich with gasoline and lit her on fire. She then fled the scene on foot but one witness was able to provide a very detailed description.
Someone called 911 and authorities arrived to see a horrific scene where the victim Joie was still concious but was able to communicate with them about the incident which resulted in severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
It turns out that Betty Jean had been told by another employee to stop asking customers for money and Joie, just back from lunch and seeing the big lineup, jumped on the second cash register to help. Betty Jean was the first in line with the gasoline canister ready to spray her.
The police investigation showed a history of aggravated assault, diagnosed but improperly treated schizophrenia and extensive drug use. She lived in relative poverty with her mother who admitted to police that her daughter should never be allowed back into society if released from jail. As Betty Jean explained the incident during her interrogation she went into sporadic fits of laughter and wasn't able to properly explain her actions to police.
Although not a normal incident by any means, it speaks to societal issues that used to be much less prevalent.
Joie somehow survived.
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