Family of burn victim seeks justice

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- The family of a critically burned man continue their efforts to bring his attackers to justice, Thursday.

Relatives formed a circle across from a U-Gas station around a median on Northwest 47th Street and 27th Avenue, the spot where three unidentified men doused 44-year-old Darrell Brackett with gasoline, lit a match and set him on fire Christmas night.

Brackett remains in a medically induced coma at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. He suffered burns on 75 percent of his body.

Members of Brackett's family from all over South Florida passed flyers that read "Justice for Darrell Brackett" above a photo of the victim's face and asked people in the area who may have witnessed the crime to come forward.

"Before the week is over, somebody is going to come forward and help break this case," said Bridgett Brackett, the victim's mother. "I have faith. I just have that faith," she said.

Darrell walked to the gas station in Northwest Miami-Dade when his car ran out of gas. Police say someone doused him in fuel and set him on fire. He made it to the median, where a woman worked to save his life.

"To the lady who helped him, I wish I could find her to thank her because if it weren't for her, he would have died," said Bridgett.

Brackett's mother said that she visits the gas-stained median where her son was severely burned every single day. "I stood there, I looked at the ground where he was burned, and all I could see was my child there burning," said Bridgett Brackett. "I didn't ask God why. I just said, 'Please, save my son'," she added.

Sharetta Remikie, Brackett's cousin, said she came to help prevent similar crimes from happening again. "I want this community to come together to say that this is senseless, and it needs to stop," Remikie said.

If you have any information on this attack, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)