A homeless Florida woman who set a gas station clerk on fire after the victim told her to stop panhandling outside the station allegedly showed no regret after she was told that the victim was in critical condition.
Betty Jean McFadden, 30, was apprehended last week Wednesday and charged with first-degree attempted murder in connection with the gruesome attack that occurred at the Circle K gas station in Pensacola.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the clerk told McFadden not to panhandle outside the station. The perpetrator gently left without saying a word. Later during the day, McFadden returned to the station armed with a gas can filled with fuel. She reportedly went inside and burned the clerk.
McFadden calmly left the scene and was arrested a few blocks away. Under interrogation, McFadden admitted to burning the clerk. In addition, The assailant asked one of the investigations two noteworthy questions.
“As I was leaving the interview room, McFadden asked me if the ‘bitch was dead,'” the investigator wrote. “McFadden asked if she was burned all over her body, to which I replied she was and she simply replied, ‘ok.'”
Before McFadden was taken into custody, officers interviewed multiple people who witnessed the grisly incident.
The victim’s co-worker told investigators that they were behind the counter when McFadden entered the store and began begging money from regular customers. McFadden then left and used the money to buy fuel at another gas station before coming back to attack the clerk. The witness said McFadden walked up to the counter and poured gas on the clerk who told her not to panhandle, according to PNJ.
“(The clerk) then ran to the back room and McFadden ran around the counter and began throwing matches at her, which caused the gas to ignite and (the clerk) to catch fire,” the report stated.
Security cameras captured the incident.
“(The clerk) is heard screaming on the video … (the clerk) is seen on camera running into the back office, her body completely engulfed in flames,” the report stated.
“On another camera, McFadden is seen walking through the store and out the front door where she turns toward Massachusetts Avenue. McFadden appears to be walking at an unhurried speed.”
Cops said witnesses grabbed clothing and water from the store and used them to put out the fire. A second employee was particularly burned while trying to help the victim who suffered burns all over her body. She was flown to a burn treatment center where doctors said she is expected to survive.
