Florida is infamous for its often shocking headlines, and this latest incident from Central Florida is no exception. The event, captured on a chilling video, shows a 17-year-old deliberately setting his friend on fire. The teen was arrested and is facing a felony aggravated battery charge.
According to authorities and news reports, Bradey Ming now faces a felony charge after deputies obtained footage showing him setting his friend on fire. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports that Ming deliberately poured gasoline on the other teen and ignited it, resulting in severe burns that sent the victim to the hospital. The burns were classified as second-degree.
This shocking event unfolded on January 11th at Lake Kerr in Marion County. On that night, a group of friends were drinking around an open fire. When emergency crews arrived after receiving a frantic call about a boy being badly burned, they didn’t just rely on witness statements. Instead, they reviewed a video that laid out exactly what happened.
In the viral video, Ming is seen pouring gasoline and creating a flammable trail leading directly to the victim. The victim, in a panic as the flames caught his arms and legs, ran toward the nearby lake in a desperate attempt to extinguish the fire. Paramedics arrived quickly, rushing him to the hospital where he received treatment for his painful injuries.
Initially, the burned teen tried to downplay what happened, telling his mother that he had simply gotten burned while messing around with fire. But the truth was harder to hide once his family discovered the incriminating video. His father, horrified by what he saw, brought the footage to the sheriff’s office, setting in motion the investigation that led to Ming’s arrest.
Now, Ming is being held in jail without bond, facing a charge of aggravated battery. Authorities have emphasized that this was no accident. The deliberate nature of Ming’s actions has left investigators and the public alike struggling to understand what could have motivated such a reckless and dangerous act. As of now, officials admit they still don’t know what prompted Ming to do it, and no motive has emerged.
Internet Reacts to Florida Teen Setting a Friend On Fire
People across social media are grappling with the unsettling reality of what happened.
An X user stated, “Bad parenting should be a crime.”
Another user pointed out, “Friend? That’s not a friend.”
A user added, “This is absolutely horrific and pure evil. There are no excuses for intentionally doing something like that to another human being.”
One more user went on to say, “I fail to see how this could ever have been funny.”
“Calling them friends is a stretch when the behavior is clearly predatory and targeted,” read a comment.
For now, the hope is that this tragic event will serve as a lesson in the dangers of recklessness and a call to action for families and communities to come together to protect their young people. In a state known for its wild stories, this one stands out not just for its shock value, but for the important questions it raises about responsibility, safety, and the sometimes devastating cost of a single bad decision.
