Columbus, IN — Columbus police officers arrested an Indianapolis man Monday evening after he reportedly threw gasoline on a man during an argument and then set him on fire. At approximately 3:40 a.m. on Monday morning, CPD officers responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Chestnut Street. When the officers arrived, they located an adult male with burns over a large portion of his body.
Witnesses reported that prior to officers arriving, a man who was later identified as Ralph Shaw, 39, of Indianapolis, was arguing with the injured man and later threw gasoline on him and set him on fire. The injured man was later transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis by Lifeline helicopter for additional treatment.
Officers located Shaw on Monday afternoon in the area of Donner Park where he was taken into custody without incident. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where he was remanded with a 48-hour hold on the following preliminary charges:
- Aggravated Battery (Level 3 Felony)
- Two Marion County Warrants
The investigation is ongoing.
All charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
(Columbus Police Department/Lt. Matt Harris press release)
