Michael Morris Steele, 24, was arrested Monday and charged with assaulting a woman by pushing her into a beach bonfire and holding her in the flames, threatening to kill her, the V.I. Police Department reported.
At 12:27 a.m. Monday, the 911 emergency call center received a report of an assault at Salt River, Christiansted. At the scene, the female victim, whose name was withheld by police, told the officers that she was assaulted by a male acquaintance.
She told officers the attacker had pushed her into a bonfire on the beach, that he became enraged and held her down into the flames, while threatening to kill her.
The woman sustained burns to her body. She was transported to Juan F.Luis Hospital and subsequently airlifted to the mainland for further treatment, police said.Police apprehended Steele and charged with first-degree assault/domestic violence, mayhem and first-degree attempted murder.
As per the domestic violence statute, no bail was set and he was held pending his advice of rights hearing.
