A heated dispute over unwanted guests allegedly led a Florida man to assault his roommate by throwing hot cooking grease on him, causing severe burns.
William Clark, 54, is facing a charge of aggravated battery to cause bodily harm for the October 20 incident. The altercation began over Clark’s frustration with his roommate allowing unauthorized guests into their home, which he allegedly called a “drug zone.”
According to the probable cause affidavit, Clark confronted the victim while holding a pan of grease he had been using to fry ribs, issuing an ultimatum: “Either you leave or I’m gonna make you leave.” When the victim refused, Clark allegedly threw the steaming contents onto him. The entire exchange was reportedly captured on the victim’s cellphone.
The victim suffered “serious” burns to his face, neck, and arm and was airlifted to a hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU burn unit.
Police found grease residue throughout the residence. Clark provided conflicting accounts to investigators, at one point claiming he threw the grease to “defend himself,” but admitting he held the pan as a weapon. He also allegedly told police he “refilled the grease in case he had to use it on [the victim] again.”
Clark was arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department and booked into the Leon County Jail. He was granted a $10,000 bond with conditions including wearing a GPS monitor and avoiding the victim. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
READ: Multi-County Florida Fugitive Arrested In Lakeland
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