A California McDonald’s manager is in hospital with severe burns after a co-worker allegedly threw boiling hot oil at him.
Jacob Smith, 20, was working as a shift manager at a Yuba City McDonald’s in Northern California, May 30, when he was allegedly attacked by another employee who fled before police arrived, CBS News reported.
He has second-degree burns over 22 per cent of his body and has been in excruciating pain, it said.
Yuba City Police told the outlet they visited the restaurant following reports of an assault. Police found Smith conscious and able to speak, but with burn injuries to his upper body and face.
Police alleged fellow employee Jalani Bluett, 23, attacked Smith and fled after the attack. Bluett was later located and arrested, CBS News reported.
He has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem and felony assault resulting in great bodily injury.
A motive for the alleged attack has not been established, according to ABC 10.
Jacob Smith (left) was allegedly attacked by his co-worker, Jalani Bluett (right). Photo / GoFundMe, Police
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Smith’s family to help with medical and recovery costs.
“My son is God fearing. He would give anything to anybody. If he had $5 in his wallet and you needed it, he would just give it to you,” his mother, Amber Smith, told ABC 10.
“Jacob suffered severe second-degree burns to his face, arm, and back. He was rushed for medical treatment and will be spending time in the hospital as doctors work to help him heal,” read the GoFundMe.
“He now faces a long and painful recovery process that will include ongoing medical care, treatments, and time away from work.
“As his mother, it broke my heart when he looked at me and said, ‘Why would he do this to me?’” she continued.
In an update, she said her son remained in the ICU burn unit and was preparing to undergo surgery for skin grafts to treat deep burns.
Jacob Smith before and after being attacked. Photo / Jacob Smith
She also passed on a message from her son.
“As much as I want to be angry, or want to hate people and be scared of people, it’s just so hard to be when I have so many people showing their love for me,” he said.
“I’m not sad and I’m not angry and the pain doesn’t cause me grief because I know it’s necessary to heal. I’m so thankful for everybody. Thank you to God for saving my eye and giving me awesome family and friends.
“And, of course, thank you so much to my lovely fiancee, Dulce, who is just the most incredible girl I could ever ask for, and is doing everything in her power to make sure I’m okay.”
As of writing, the fundraiser had raised more than US$56,000 ($96,855).
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