Woman attacked and set on fire; KKK painted on her car - FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather & Sports

Woman attacked and set on fire; KKK painted on her car

Posted: Updated:
Sharmeka Moffitt (Source: Facebook) Sharmeka Moffitt (Source: Facebook)

  • FOX19 Headlines

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:44:45 GMT
    How about this for a guilty-summer snack. Oreo is releasing a new watermelon flavor cookie. They are available at Target for $3 a package.  The treat features a bright pink an green filling between two
    How about this for a guilty-summer snack. Oreo is releasing a new watermelon flavor cookie.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:31 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:31:59 GMT
    The National Trust for Historic Preservation is urging Ohio to scrap a plan that could put a highway through a beloved 80-acre wooded area that residents of the village of Mariemont use for hiking and
    The National Trust for Historic Preservation is urging Ohio to scrap a plan that could put a highway through a beloved 80-acre wooded area that residents of the village of Mariemont use for hiking and gardening.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:13:50 GMT
    The Cincinnati Zoo will be taking a variety of animals to Great American Ballpark for Zoo Night on Wednesday, June 19 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fans will be able to meet face-to-face with one-of-a-kind
    The Cincinnati Zoo will be taking a variety of animals to Great American Ballpark for Zoo Night on Wednesday, June 19 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
    •   
WINNSBORO, LA (KSLA) -

New details are emerging surrounding the critical injury of a Winnsboro woman set on fire in a city park on Sunday night.

Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, is in critical condition at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. Her mother, Edna Moffitt, says surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. "Both of her arms, and they are third degree burns, down her chest and legs - one. Basically her arms are real bad." Edna Moffitt also confirms her daughter was not wearing an Obama t-shirt, as initial rumors on social media had indicated.

At a news conference held just before Noon Monday, authorities confirmed Moffitt called 911 around 8 p.m. Sunday from Civitan Park, telling them she had been attacked and burned by three men in white hoodies. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb confirms that "KKK" was spray-painted on the hood of her car, with a racial slur underneath.

At this point, police are not classifying the incident as a hate crime, but FBI agents are there assisting Louisiana State Police and local law enforcement, in addition to the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Department. 

Winnsboro Police say they will be tightening security at the park as a result of the incident.

"This is a horrific event for our community," says Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb. "It makes everyone uneasy. It is our hope that everyone stands together at this time, and follow the information that is gathered, follow the facts, follow the evidence and hopefully that will lead us to justice in this case." He went on to tell KSLA News 12 that they have no information to lead them directly to any individual suspects at this point, but he says they are following all avenues.

The story went viral Sunday evening on Twitter and Facebook. Many of the posts speculated the attack was a hate crime. However, the sheriff's office has also confirmed with KSLA News 12 that Moffitt was not wearing a President Obama t-shirt, despite claims on social media that the t-shirt is what provoked the attack.

Copyright 2012 KSLA. All rights reserved.