A 17-year-old Florida boy has been arrested in connection with a disturbing incident in which authorities say he intentionally set another teenager on fire during an overnight outing at a lake in Marion County. Bradey Ming, 17, of Anthony, was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies after investigators obtained video evidence allegedly showing him pouring gasoline on the victim and igniting it. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of January 11 on Kauffman Island at Lake Kerr, located within the Ocala National Forest.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by TV20, Ming and three other teenagers, including the victim, traveled by jet ski to the island during the night of January 10 into January 11. The group reportedly had alcohol with them and started a fire due to the cold conditions. What followed, investigators allege, resulted in severe burn injuries to one of the teens and a felony aggravated battery charge against Ming.
The victim was initially taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville, where doctors documented multiple second- and third-degree burns. Deputies say the seriousness of the injuries, combined with the video evidence and witness statements, supported the conclusion that the act posed a clear risk of great bodily harm.
Incident on Kauffman Island and Allegations
The arrest affidavit details a sequence of events that investigators believe shows intentional and reckless behavior. Deputies state that Ming, the victim, and two other teens were gathered around a fire on Kauffman Island while drinking alcohol. At some point, Ming allegedly began handling a gas can near the fire. Witnesses told detectives that Ming poured gasoline onto the fire to keep it burning and then created a trail of gasoline on the ground.
According to both the victim and witnesses, Ming then splashed gasoline onto the victim. Investigators say Ming asked the victim something along the lines of, “Do you want to be set on fire?” moments before the gasoline ignited. The trail of fuel caught fire and quickly spread to the victim, engulfing parts of his body in flames.
The victim ran into Lake Kerr to extinguish the fire, which likely prevented even more severe injuries. Afterward, the group left the island on jet skis and returned to shore. The injured teen was then transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Due to the severity of the burns, he was later transferred to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville for specialized care.
Medical reports referenced in the affidavit describe burns to the victim’s hand, backside, legs, and thighs. Some of the injuries were classified as second-degree and third-degree burns, with symptoms including blistering, bleeding, and discoloration. Deputies also reported a deep full-thickness burn to the victim’s lower right leg, lower left leg, and left thigh, indicating extensive damage to the skin and underlying tissue.
🚨A 17-year-old #Florida teenager has been charged with felony aggravated battery after allegedly setting a friend on fire.
— News.Az (@news_az) February 5, 2026
Authorities say Bradey Ming poured gasoline onto an existing fire and created a trail leading to the victim before allegedly throwing gasoline on him. The… pic.twitter.com/oIwQAw6LUR
A witness told detectives that there had been no argument or altercation among the group before the incident. The witness reportedly stated there was no indication that Ming acted out of anger or malice. However, investigators emphasized that intent under Florida law does not require personal animosity, noting that a reasonable person would understand that pouring gasoline on someone near an open flame could result in serious bodily injury.
Investigation, Video Evidence, and Arrest
The investigation began when a Marion County deputy responded to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital after receiving a report that a teen had been intentionally set on fire. Before speaking with the injured boy, the deputy had already viewed a video that investigators say clearly depicted Ming pouring gasoline on the victim, leading to the ignition.
Initially, the victim told his mother that the injuries were the result of an accident. He claimed he had attempted to throw a water bottle containing gasoline into the fire when it erupted unexpectedly, burning his legs. This account was later contradicted when the victim’s father discovered a video of the incident. After seeing the footage, the father contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and provided the video to authorities.
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Once confronted with the video evidence, the victim reportedly admitted to detectives and his parents that he had lied to protect Ming. According to the affidavit, the teen explained that Ming had been “messing” with the gas can and deliberately created a gasoline trail before splashing fuel onto him. Detectives noted that the victim had been standing approximately 10 feet away from the fire at the time, drinking alcohol with the group.
Investigators interviewed other witnesses who corroborated the victim’s revised account. One witness confirmed that Ming poured gasoline onto the fire to get it started and then extended the fuel trail toward the victim. The witness stated that Ming splashed gasoline on the victim just before the trail ignited.
Based on the video, witness statements, and medical documentation, investigators concluded there was probable cause to charge Ming with aggravated battery, a felony offense under Florida law. The affidavit states that gasoline is a highly flammable substance and that its use in this manner would reasonably be expected to cause great bodily injury.
A warrant for Ming’s arrest was issued last week. Deputies confirmed that Ming later turned himself in to authorities. He is currently being held without bond at a juvenile detention facility, pending further court proceedings.
Legal Implications and Ongoing Case
Aggravated battery is a serious felony charge in Florida, particularly when it involves the use of a deadly weapon or results in severe bodily injury. Investigators classified gasoline as a dangerous instrument due to its flammability and potential to cause life-threatening harm. The severity of the victim’s burns played a significant role in the decision to pursue the aggravated battery charge.
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Because both the suspect and the victim are minors, certain aspects of the case are being handled within the juvenile justice system. However, depending on prosecutorial decisions and court rulings, cases involving violent felonies can sometimes be transferred to adult court. Authorities have not yet announced whether they intend to seek such a transfer in Ming’s case.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the investigation relied heavily on digital evidence, particularly the video showing the incident. Deputies noted that without the video, the case may have initially appeared to be an accidental injury, based on the victim’s first account. Investigators said the footage provided a clearer understanding of the sequence of events and the level of risk involved.
The case also highlights issues surrounding underage drinking and unsupervised gatherings in remote areas. Deputies confirmed that the teens had traveled by jet ski to the island during overnight hours and had access to alcohol and gasoline. While no additional charges related to alcohol possession have been announced, investigators documented these circumstances in the arrest affidavit.
As of now, Ming remains in custody without bond. Court records indicate that further hearings are expected as the case proceeds through the legal system. Authorities have not released additional details regarding potential trial dates or plea considerations. The victim continues to recover from his injuries, and officials have not provided updates on his current medical condition beyond the initial hospitalization reports.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation is ongoing and that all evidence, including witness testimony and video recordings, will be presented to prosecutors for review as the case moves forward.