A Florida woman is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly setting a stranger on fire at a St. Petersburg gas station, leaving the victim with severe burns, police reported.
Eleanor Crawford, 41, is accused of approaching Christine Sherbuk, 41, at a Mobil gas station on Thursday night and igniting the gasoline Sherbuk was using to fuel her SUV, according to an arrest affidavit.
The incident resulted in Sherbuk suffering second-degree burns to her arms and back. She was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where her condition was stabilized. She is expected to survive.
Scotty Gramling, a witness who was parked nearby, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that he saw a "fireball" and then helped Sherbuk into his truck before calling 911. Gramling also stated he had called the police non-emergency line shortly before the attack after observing Crawford involved in a disturbance across the street.
Police apprehended Crawford approximately two blocks away from the gas station within 20 minutes of the incident. Multiple witnesses reportedly identified her, and the event was captured on video, according to the arrest affidavit.
Investigators stated that Crawford and Sherbuk did not know each other, and no motive has been publicly identified. Assistant Police Chief Mike Kovacsev mentioned Crawford's history of drug- and alcohol-related charges, suggesting a possible diminished capacity, though authorities have not confirmed if she was under the influence at the time of the alleged attack.
Crawford has been charged with attempted felony murder and two counts of arson. She is being held on a $350,000 bond and has been ordered by a judge to be fitted with a GPS monitor prior to her release from jail. The case remains under investigation.