ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A St. Paul man accused of setting his girlfriend's son on fire has been charged with first degree assault by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.
Curtis Reed, 54, of St. Paul is accused of dousing 19-year-old Antoine Willis with lighter fluid and setting him on fire early Wednesday morning.
A criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County says Reed was angry with Willis because he and other males in the house had physically attacked him over his treatment of Willis' mother. She told police an argument with Reed turned physical and her son tried to intervene.
The complaint says Reed squirted lighter fluid on Willis while he slept on the couch and set him on fire. Witnesses said that when Willis tried to run away, Reed followed him and continued to squirt lighter fluid on him.
Willis told authorities he was awakened by having liquid poured on his head and then felt the fire.
Reed called 911 around and said, "I just set him (Willis) on fire!"
Willis was taken to Regions Hospital where officials say he will have permanent injuries, especially on his hands, face and neck. He suffered second and third degree burns to his face, head, ear, hands, neck and torso.
Willis is listed in fair condition as of Friday. The family does not have health insurance and are accepting donations. An account has been set up under Antoine Willis at any Bremer Bank.
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