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‘Get in the lake!’ Video shows Marion County teen setting his friend on fire, deputies say

Bradey Ming, 17, faces charge of aggravated battery

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 17-year-old in Central Florida was arrested after he was accused of setting his friend on fire early last month, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office released footage of the incident on the night of Jan. 10, which apparently shows the teen — identified as Bradey Ming — pouring gasoline on a dwindling bonfire with several other boys around, laughing.

The bonfire erupts into even larger flames, though Ming is then spotted pouring gasoline in a trail until the fire spreads to another boy on the beach.

“Oh my God! Oh my God!” one of the boys can be heard saying. “Get in the lake! Get in the lake!”

Bradey Travis Ming, 17 (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies said the victim was later taken to an emergency room in Palatka, and he claimed that he had thrown a water bottle containing gasoline at a fire, which erupted and burned his legs.

The victim reportedly suffered second-degree burns across much of his body, with bloodied, discolored legs.

However, the video soon surfaced, revealing what actually happened, and deputies were tipped off about the case last week, investigators stated.

In an arrest affidavit, deputies explained they learned from the victim that he and the other boys had taken a Jet Ski on Lake Kerr to Kauffman Island, which is where the incident occurred.

Approximate location where the incident on Kauffmans Island in Lake Kerr happened on Jan. 10, 2026 (Google Maps)

“According to the juvenile victim, the group was hanging out at the island and drinking alcohol...” the affidavit reads. “He was primarily burned on the backside of his legs and on his arms.”

Furthermore, deputies said they determined that the fire hadn’t been set maliciously.

Regardless, Ming was ultimately arrested and now faces a charge of aggravated battery. Deputies said he turned himself in.

[BELOW: Bodycam video shows arrest of 17-year-old Bradey Ming]

You can read the full arrest affidavit below.


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