A man accused of pouring gas on a woman and setting her ablaze at a gas station is now behind bars.
40-year-old Michael Slager is charged with felonious assault and aggravated arson for allegedly setting a woman on fire at a Gahanna gas station in last weekend.
Police say they received multiple reports Judith Malinowski was engulfed in flames at the Speedway gas station on Agler Road on Sunday, August 2. Upon arrival, authorities found Slager and Malinowski suffering from significant burn injuries.
Police say Slager poured what is believed to be gasoline on the woman and ignited the liquid.
Both were taken to Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for treatment. Slager suffered minor injuries, while the woman remains in critical condition.
The 40-year-old was arrested on arrested on Monday without incident. Police say they are not saying what Slager's relationship is to the victim or what a possible motive may have been.
A stunned witness describes what happened next in a call to 911:
Caller: He just grabbed a fire extinguisher from inside Speedway. She's on the ground. I mean, it's bad.
Dispatcher: Ok, is the male party still there?
Caller: Yeah. He's putting her out with a fire extinguisher. He walked up to her like they were arguing. She dropped her bag on the ground and then he pulled up and walked up to her with a lighter, like to light a cigarette … something was all over her. She just ignited immediately.
Police say they have obtained surveillance footage of the incident from a nearby business, in addition to information from a third-party witness.
Slager will face a judge on Wednesday.
