Florida Teen Charged in Friend's Bonfire Burning

A 17-year-old Florida teenager faces felony aggravated battery charges after authorities say he intentionally set his friend on fire during a late-night gathering on a remote island, leaving the victim with severe burns.

The incident occurred on January 11 on Kauffman Island in Lake Kerr, Marion County, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Bradey Ming, 17, was arrested following the emergence of cell phone video footage that captured the event. The video, obtained by investigators after the victim's father shared it with authorities, shows Ming handling a gasoline can near a bonfire where a group of teenagers, including the unidentified 17-year-old victim, had been drinking alcohol to ward off the cold.

In the footage, Ming pours gasoline onto the dying fire, causing flames to flare up dramatically. He then asks the victim, "You want to be set on fire?" according to the probable cause affidavit. Moments later, Ming creates a trail of gasoline on the ground leading toward the seated victim before dousing him directly. The flames ignite along the trail and engulf the boy, prompting screams from the group. Witnesses urged him to jump into the lake, and he did so to...