Police officers turn to the public in the manhunt for a man suspected to have set a woman on fire after sexually assaulting a Kansas woman. According to doctors treating the victim, she is currently in critical condition.
The victim could be interviewed at the hospital, however, because of her medication and grave condition, investigators could only gather a few pieces of information. The woman gave a short description of the man who attacked her, Police Lt. James Espinoza told reporters.
The woman was found with burns over 55 percent of her body on Friday, when firefighters responded to a grass fire. The 36 year old woman was attacked somewhere between 10:50 PM and 11:15 PM on Friday, at Fairmount Park.
“It is a very heinous act, very cruel,”
the police Lt. said.
Investigators cannot tell whether the assailant was someone that the woman knew and they cannot explain why the man set his victim on fire. Until now, no information is available as to why the 36-year old woman was in the park. According to Espinoza, the victim did not have a nearby car.
“We would know if we had a suspect, but we don’t right now,”
Lt. Espinoza added.
Witnesses are asked to provide any possible information. Authorities announced that they were on the lookout for a person seen running away from the park or speeding off from the area on Friday.
The attack took place near Wichita State University, however, the victim is not a student.
On Tuesday, the University is planning to hold a public forum so that it can put student’s concerns to rest.