KALAMAZOO (WKZO)–A man accused of setting a woman on fire at a home in the 900 block of Douglas Ave. in Kalamazoo is facing an assault with intent to do great bodily harm charge.
Police responded to a 911 call at 2:15 Friday morning and learned the victim and the suspect live together and had been having a verbal and physical fight for most of the night.
Investigators say the man brought their fight to a fiery conclusion by dousing the 44 year old victim with rubbing alcohol and setting her on fire.
They claim he had already threatened her with a knife and tried to strangle her because she wanted to end their relationship.
She was able to put out the flames by ripping off her shirt but not before suffering flash burns to her upper torso and face and singeing her hair.
. She was treated and released later in the day.
The 52-year-old male, Ray Charles Jackson, fled on foot. ,
Public safety flooded the area with officers and spotted him walking along Mable Street and made the arrest.
Jackson has subsequently been formally charged with four counts and was ordered held on $500,000 bond because of his previous criminal record.
