Man Set Girlfriend On Fire, Cops Say

St. Petersburg, FL — St. Petersburg Police have found a 37-year-old man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire Tuesday evening.

According to the police department, John M. Riggins and his girlfriend, Sheron K. Pasco, 37, got involved in a fight around 8 pm. Tuesday at 2800 24th Ave. S.

“Riggins took a gas can and poured the contents onto Pasco and set her on fire,” police wrote in an email to media. “Pasco's aunt put Pasco into a tub to extinguish the flames.”

Riggins then ran out of the home with possibly both of his arms on fire, the email said.

Pasco was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with severe burns covering her body.

Riggins was found hiding in a vacant home nearby. He had burns and was treated at a local hospital, police said late Tuesday night.

Pasco remained in critical condition Tuesday evening. Riggins was being questioned.

Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

Booking photo from a prior arrest of John Riggins courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department