UPDATED: Sharmeka Moffitt Set On Fire and In Critical Condition; KKK Rumored To Be Behind Attack
Louisiana news outlets are reporting a truly horrific story.
A black woman named Sharmeka Moffitt was attacked and set on fire while on a walking trail in a city park in Winnsboro, LA.
Since the report surfaced, social media has been flooded with allegations that the attack was a hate crime perpetrated by three white men affiliated with the KKK.
“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 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.
The investigation has been turned over to the Louisiana State Police Troop F.”
Read more and watch a news report on the incident at wmbfnews.com
We will continue to keep you updated on this story as details emerge.
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UPDATE (1:27 PM CST):
According to Winnsboro Police, the letters “KKK” were written on the hood of Sharmeka Moffitt’s car.
They are holding off on calling this a hate crime at this point.
Moffitt is still in critical condition.
“Authorities say Sharmeka Moffitt, 20, called 911 from Civitan Park about 8 p.m. Sunday after she was allegedly attacked and burned by three men wearing white hoodies while she was on the walking trail in the southern end of the park.
Police say Moffitt could not confirm the race of the attackers. The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Louisiana State Police, the state fire marshal’s office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Winnsboro Police and Franklin Parish Sheriff’s department. There have been no arrests made and no suspects have been identified.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharmeka Moffitt
and her loved ones.