ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A man is on the run after he was accused of setting another man on fire, according to the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office.
Deputies say 35-year-old Brian Connor has a warrant for attempted murder, arson and burglary.
The crime happened Saturday at the Woodlawn Terrance Apartments, according to investigators.
The man who was burned is in critical condition at UF Health in Gainesville.
News4Jax spoke with Brian Connor’s nephew on Monday and he said his uncle is related to the man he’s accused of setting on fire.
He says he didn’t know of them having any issues and he never would have expected his uncle to be accused of something like this.
On Monday, firefighters stood near what appeared to be a melted trash can outside a home at the Woodlawn Terrance Apartments in St. Augustine, where deputies say Conner is accused of intentionally setting a man on fire.
Jalan Jackson is Connor’s nephew and said he was with him the day before.
“My uncle, he loved his family I don’t think he would do that," Jackson said.
Deputies said Connor went to the apartment and began arguing with the victim about the money he owed him.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Connor then doused the man with a flammable liquid and lit him on fire.
The victim ran to a nearby apartment where deputies say neighbors helped extinguish the flames.
Connor is still on the run. Jackson said he doesn’t know where he is.
Jackson says he’s hoping his uncle will come forward.
Jackson didn’t want to speak about the family member who was burned.
Anyone who sees Connor or knows where he is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Records show Connor has been arrested in both Putnam and St. Johns counties in the past for domestic violence and drugs.