Full Breakdown
Attempted Murder and Arson in Northwest Miami-Dade
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a person set on fire at the intersection of Northwest 63rd Street and Northwest 25th Avenue on Saturday evening. They found an unconscious man, later identified as 33-year-old Nathaniel Devon Mathis, suffering severe burns. According to the arrest report, 45-year-old Tanisha Shelton allegedly returned to the scene several hours after a verbal altercation, carrying a white plastic bucket with an unknown liquid accelerant. She is said to have poured the accelerant over Mathis, ignited it with a lighter borrowed from a witness, and fled the scene.
Key Figures
- Tanisha Shelton – 45, resident of central Florida; arrested on charges of attempted first-degree murder and arson causing great bodily harm.
- Nathaniel Devon Mathis – 33, victim who sustained extensive burn injuries.
Legal and Medical Details
Shelton was taken to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homicide Bureau, invoked her right to counsel, and was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The bond for the attempted murder charge was set at $10,000; the arson charge bond was listed as pending. Medical staff at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center determined Mathis suffered second- and third-degree burns on at least 80 % of his body. He remains in extremely critical condition and, according to officials, is not expected to survive.
Official Responses
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews confirmed the use of an accelerant and noted the rapid response that prevented further harm. Hospital officials highlighted the severity of Mathis’s injuries and the challenges of treating burns covering such a large body surface area.
Broader Implications
The case underscores the seriousness with which Florida law enforcement treats violent arson and attempted homicide, particularly when the victim’s injuries are life-threatening. It also raises public safety concerns about the accessibility of accelerants and the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into extreme violence.