A Georgia woman is on the road to recovery after suffering severe injuries from a chemical attack during an evening stroll in Savannah, according to officials and her family.
Ashley Wasielewski, 46, fell victim to the assault at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday while taking her routine walk near Forsyth Park. An unidentified attacker approached and poured a corrosive substance over her, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson reported.
“Acts of violence like this are unacceptable in Savannah,” Mayor Johnson emphasized in a statement. “Our Police Department is treating this investigation with utmost urgency.”
Currently hospitalized in Georgia, Wasielewski is being treated for second- and third-degree burns that cover about half of her body, affecting areas such as her scalp, face, hands, and legs, her son Westley Wasielewski informed The Associated Press.
“We are at a loss as to who could do such a thing,” Westley said. “She doesn’t have any enemies and is known for being a friend to all.”
“We don’t know who did it,” Westley Wasielewski said. “She doesn’t have any enemies. She is a friend to everyone.”
Ashley Wasielewski was walking laps at the park after attending a church Christmas program when she said she noticed a shadow approaching from behind.
As she turned around, the person dumped liquid over her head, according to her friend Connor Milam, AP reported.
Authorities have released a security camera image of a person of interest wearing a dark hoodie. (Mayor Van Johnson via Facebook)
“She was instantly like, ‘Why are you pouring water on me?’ And then her skin started to burn,” Milam said. “She looked down, and her pants were starting to burn off her body. She started screaming.”
Police believe the attacker was a stranger and are urgently searching for a suspect, the AP reported.
Authorities have released a security camera image of a person of interest wearing a dark hoodie.
A view of Savannah’s Forsyth Park. (Google Maps)
Detectives are working with the FBI to identify the chemical used in the attack, according to the AP.
“Detectives are actively investigating the motive and circumstances, and while this attack is deeply troubling, there is currently no information indicating a broader or ongoing threat to the public,” Johnson said.
