Video shows moments leading up to Golden Corral attack

Man accused of dousing girlfriend in gasoline, setting her on fire in October

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Prosecutors have released new evidence, including disturbing video, in the case of a man accused of killing his girlfriend by dousing her with gasoline and lighting her on fire inside a Golden Corral last October.

Darryl Tyrone Whipple, 59, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Carol Renee Demmons, 56, who worked at the restaurant on Memorial Park Road, just off Normandy Boulevard, where she was attacked on Oct. 12.

Prosecutors said Whipple walked in the restaurant with a knife, a lighter and a Gatorade bottle filled with gasoline. They said he went behind the dessert counter where Demmons was working, poured the gasoline on her head and back and set her on fire with the lighter as she tried to run away. The fire set off the restaurant's sprinkler system.

The entire incident was captured on surveillance video. That video is so upsetting, we won't show all of it. It shows Demmons startled to see Whipple walking up behind her before he empties the bottle on her and throws the lighter at her.

The video shows a mother pulling her children back from the flames inside as customers run and frantic 911 calls are made.

Prosecutors released several of those 911 calls on Friday.

“He legit just came over and had a lighter and set her on fire," one caller said. "Now he has a knife and is in the road.”

According to the arrest report, officers found Whipple sitting on the curb outside. When they arrived, he stood up and placed his hands behind his back, the report said.

Demmons suffered burns on 62 percent of her body and died nearly a month later at the UF Health Shands Hospital Burn Unit, in Gainesville.

Prosecutors have released the video of the attack, along with other evidence that they will show a jury to try to convince the jurors that Whipple should be executed.

That evidence includes a list of items inventoried at the scene, including a yellow Scripto lighter, and a report from the State Fire Marshal's Office that said gasoline was found on a shirt, on burned debris and on a swab taken from Whipple. Initial reports had indicated Demmons was doused in lighter fluid.

DOCUMENTS: Fire Marshal report on Demmons case | List of property recovered

Also in the evidence released are dozens of photos taken at the scene, including images of the Gatorade bottle and of Demmons' burned Golden Corral name badge.

Whipple, who is also charged with burglary with assault or battery, has a history of domestic violence issues, including an injunction against him requested three years ago by another woman.

He was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery on Demmons in April, but she declined to press charges, admitting that she started the fight. The arrest report indicated Demmons pulled a knife on Whipple.

Whipple will be back in court next month.


About the Authors:

Jennifer, who anchors The Morning Shows and is part of the I-TEAM, loves working in her hometown of Jacksonville.