Willie Summersett (left) and Alex Cineas were named as suspects in the burning of Darrel Bracket. Cineas came forward to talk to police and has not been charged at this point. (Source: Miami-Dade Police)
South Florida Crime
MIAMI (CBS4) – Detectives investigating a disturbing crime in which a man was set on fire outside a northwest Miami-Dade gas station on Christmas night have released the names of two of the four people they believed were involved.
Investigators are looking Willie Summersett, 29, who is currently wanted on an attempted first degree murder warrant and 21-year old Alex Cineas from Miramar. Police believe there were two more people involved, a man and woman, but have not released their names or descriptions.
Forty four year old Darrel Bracket, who was burned over 75 percent of his body, remains in extremely critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
“He won’t be the same,” said his sister Angela.
Brackett’s family was in tears at news conference on Thursday where police released new information on the men they say are responsible for setting him on fire.
According to police, Brackett and his girlfriend had dropped off guests after hosting a Christmas night cookout. On their way home, their van ran out of gas and Brackett walked to the U-Gas station at 4700 NW 27th Ave.
Brackett paid for three dollars of gas which he put in can and began to walk back tot the van.
No one is sure what happened next, but a woman saw Brackett on fire and ran to help.
Brackett reportedly told the woman that three men set him on fire, according to his mother Bridgette Brackett.
Police have obtained surveillance tape of Summersett when he went to Hialeah Hospital to be treated for burns. A records check showed Summersett had an extensive criminal record. Cineas was also spotted on the hospital’s tapes along with the two other people suspected in Brackett’s attack.
Brackett’s sister says she still doesn’t understand why the attack happened and police aren’t sure either because they havent been able to communicate with Brackett.
“I don’t understand why, but just for us, as the family, just turn yourself in, said Angela.
“I forgive the poeple who’ve done this,” said Brackett’s mother Bridgette, “I have no animocity, because in the long run, they will be brought to justice and will have to answer to what they have done.”
Police are asking anyone with information on what happened to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471 TIPS.
