South Jersey Man Set Ablaze In 'Prank' Needs Your Help

BRIGANTINE, N.J. — It all started with a prank that went terribly wrong, according to police. Raymond Mullen slept on a friend's couch March 15 when two men intentionally lit him on fire, Hamilton police said.

Brandon Perez and David Sult were charged with aggravated arson, aggravated assault and conspiracy, according to officials. Mullen was left with a long path in recovery.

After the attack, Mullen drove 40 minutes to his mother's house while battling severe agony and physical shock. An ambulance rushed him to a burn trauma center in Philadelphia, according to a GoFundMe raising money for Mullen and his family.

Mullen suffered severe burn trauma on his entire back. His left arm is mangled and unusable. He spent six weeks in critical and intensive care, dropped 30 pounds and lost most of his muscle mass. He suffered permanent nerve damage.

“I’m hoping I start to get better," Mullen told NJ Advance Media. "I’m in so much pain.”

Mullen's body can no longer perspire or cool on its own. His blood pressure remains consistently high at 180/120, with a pulse rate exceeding 170. He lost range of motion in his left shoulder and arm, also enduring many infections in his skin. A blood infection nearly killed him, according to the GoFundMe.

"Raymond once a vibrant, virile young man, worked as an apprentice for a HVAC company," the GoFundMe says. "He possesses strong mechanical skills, loves to work on cars or anything that can be taken apart and put together. He has a deep passion for the sport of motorcycle racing and was ranked as one of the top “A” class motorcycle racers on the east coast."

Mullen shares a home with his mother and brother, who has special needs. His mother took a leave of absence from work to be his caretaker. She and her son have lost earnings.

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