Sharmeka Moffitt, burned La. woman, made up story about racial attack, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Sharmeka Moffitt

/ Personal photo

(CBS) WINNSBORO, La. - Sharmeka Moffitt, a 20-year-old Louisiana woman who claimed three men set her on fire and wrote the initials KKK and a racial slur on her car, fabricated the attack, authorities said Tuesday. Police believe her third-degree burns were self-inflicted, CBS affiliate KSLA reported.

Moffitt called 911 Sunday evening from a walking trail in Winnsboro and told authorities she was doused in flammable liquid by three men wearing white hoodies. She suffered extensive burns on more than half her body and was taken to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport for treatment.

After two days of investigation, authorities said evidence showed that she set herself on fire, KSLA reported. Winnsboro Police Chief Lester Thomas said Tuesday afternoon that authorities linked Moffitt's fingerprints to a lighter and a bottle of lighter fluid found at the scene.

"The investigation...has revealed that this was not an attack but a self-inflicted incident that happened to her," Thomas said in a news conference.

Moffitt remains in critical condition in the Regional Burn Center at LSU Medical Center, where she is believed to have undergone surgery Tuesday. Her motive remains unknown.

Her family released a statement shortly after the news conference ended.

"Our family is devastated to learn the circumstances surrounding our daughter's injuries," the statement read. "While this was not the resolution we had expected, it is a resolution, and we appreciate the thorough investigation by the local and state police as well as federal agencies."

More on Crimesider
Oct. 23, 2012 - Sharmeka Moffitt, La. woman allegedly set on fire by three men, claims attack was racially motivated, authorities say

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by OpenlyOpinionated December 16, 2012 3:37 PM EST

I find it hard to believe that a young woman could do this to herself. Third degree burns all over her body???? I once suffered third degree burns in an bike accident and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Inflicting that kind of pain on oneself is equivalent to death and like it was said she would've been better off shooting herself. I also think it rather interesting that even after the conclusion was that she did this alone, the case was not reduced to a suicide attempt. Additionally, I doubt Obama is endorsing a "Set Yourself on Fire Campaign" and feels no connection to this case anymore closely because she supposedly wore a shirt supporting him at the time. Lastly how is it possible to make a phone call while on fire?

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by ddsharper March 24, 2013 2:16 PM EDT: I agree. Do you notice that whenever black women are attacked they are accused of fabricating their abuses? Black girl in NY, attacked, raped, covered in feces by her assailants? Black woman raped by Duke LaCrosse team, and supposedly fabricated her ordeal? Black solider, while in her military tent, beaten brutally, raped viciously, and then burned to death, while serving, and no investigation by authorities, despite the ongoing pleadings of her parents? Considering the obviously concerted efforts going on right now, to dehumanized the black woman, I believe this is just another coverup of the evil of white supremacy; a pass for the perps, yet another stain on the vast plain of stains on America's core problem. The family seems naive. Prayers for this poor girl. You are so right.

by JoeCasepack October 24, 2012 9:29 PM EDT

It could still be a hate crime.

Maybe she hates her own racist self.

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by credibility2 October 25, 2012 8:54 AM EDT: ...totally agree with you...

by malicon420 October 24, 2012 4:04 PM EDT

I read on another website that she may have been wearing an Obama T shirt when this "happened". Maybe she thought by hurting herself and blaming whites, it would help Obama mobilize his base. Just a theory. May seem unlikely, but if Joe Soptic is willing to blame Romney for his wifes death, even though she was never on his health insurance, (she had a job and her own insurance when he was laid off) and didn't get cancer until years after he was laid off, you just never know what people will do to make someone else look bad.

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by credibility2 October 25, 2012 8:55 AM EDT: ...you make some valid points and you're probably correct on the Obama connection...surprised the Sharpton Posse didn't appear demanding that heads roll...


by peppermint6789 October 24, 2012 12:53 PM EDT: How about that White 13 year old who was set on fire by two Black teenages in Kansas City, saying "This is what you deserve White boy"? Real hate crime involving fire that happened in February. Would provide context.

How about the case in Savannah, GA in October where a White girl was murdered and set on fire by a Black man.

How about talking about Tawana Brawley after discovering it was a hoax. That would also provide context.

Did Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson not step in because they suspected it of being a hoax, or was it discovered to be a hoax too quickly for them to step in?

No, the only context we get is the AP calling the local NAACP and printing scurrelous anti-White rumors.; Reply to this comment

by janeSPEAKS October 24, 2012 12:24 PM EDT

I want to know more about this story. I can't imagine someone would do this to themselves.
But the circumstances seem rather odd; Black woman walking alone in the park at night, spigot readily available to extinguish the flames & her inability to identify her attackers.....

Hell, I'm stumped.

I know the type of people accused of this crime are evil, despicable individuals and the police quickly concluding her injuries were self-inflicted, don't make this puzzle any easier to solve. Especially when coupled with the fact that they still have NOT provided a motive for her injuring herself in this manner.

Why would she do this to herself? I think I'd rather shoot myself than light myself on fire! That's a horrible way to inflict pain upon yourself.

They still have more explaining to do on this one.

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by SamanthaKayson October 24, 2012 4:11 PM EDT: I wondered about her walking through the park alone myself. I am from the area and know the the local park is not a good place to be after dark, alone or not.

Also, I'd like to point out that there is a water spigot in the middle of the park so people can drink and water their dogs, and from what I understand, she commited the act near it.

The police did come to the conclusion as to what happened very quickly, but it was with the help of local, state, and federal officers. It is reported that the law responded to her call within a minute because, by chance, there was an officer very nearby. She probably didn't expect that and had little time to cover up the evidence, making it even more obvious what was done.

I'm sure there is still alot to be revealed though, like you said.