A young person suffered severe injuries following an incident where he was set on fire, believed to be linked to an ongoing dispute between two families in a local community. Jacob Thompson, aged 19, sustained burns covering 32% of his body, including serious third-degree burns to various areas, after the incident on Cowper Street in Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia, on October 13.
Reports indicate that Jacob was approached by a group of individuals who allegedly poured a liquid on him before igniting it, leading to him being rushed to intensive care. Authorities suggest that this act was connected to a long-standing feud between families in the region.
Law enforcement in New South Wales revealed that the attack was likely a result of tensions between the families. Allegations state that Aaron Valette, 19, threatened Jacob with burning while holding a container with an unknown substance before setting him on fire. Following the incident, Jacob’s family relocated due to safety concerns and have been supporting him at Concord Hospital in Sydney.
Jacob’s family shared details about the extent of his injuries, explaining that he was placed in a medically induced coma due to severe damage to his airways. They highlighted the emotional toll on the family and Jacob’s challenging road to recovery, including ongoing medical care and the necessity to move to a safer environment.
Although Jacob remains on life support with breathing difficulties and other complications, his family mentioned his positive attitude and efforts to cope with the traumatic events. Despite the significant challenges he faces, they expressed his determination to overcome the situation.
Law enforcement arrested Valette, along with Mavis Chatfield, 45, and a 17-year-old girl in connection to the incident. Valette faced charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, while Chatfield was charged with affray. Both individuals were denied bail, while the teenage girl was released pending further investigation.