Overview
- A coworker is accused of throwing hot cooking oil on a 20-year-old McDonald’s employee during a shift-ending incident that occurred on May 30, leaving the victim with severe burns.
- The suspect, 23-year-old Jalani Bluett, was located days after the attack, booked into Sutter County Jail and charged with multiple felonies including assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.
- The injured employee, identified as Jacob Smith, remains hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center with reported third-degree burns to his face, neck, hands and shoulders and released a video from his hospital bed thanking supporters.
- Reports differ on Smith’s treatment: his mother and local coverage say doctors performed intensive care that may have avoided surgery, while another outlet reports multiple surgeries including a skin graft.
- The family launched a GoFundMe to cover medical and living costs with donations nearing the $200,000 goal, and the case is moving through the local criminal process with motive still under investigation.