Tanisha Shelton faces attempted murder and arson charges as Nathaniel Devon Mathis remains hospitalized with life-threatening burn injuries.
MIAMI, FL — A 45-year-old woman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and arson after authorities said she set a man on fire following an argument in northwest Miami-Dade, leaving him critically injured.
Tanisha Shelton was arrested after the Saturday evening incident near Northwest 63rd Street and Northwest 25th Avenue, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. The victim, identified as 33-year-old Nathaniel Devon Mathis, was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with burns covering at least 80% of his body. Authorities said Monday that Mathis remained in critical condition.
Deputies and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews were sent to the area at about 6:02 p.m. Oct. 24 after receiving reports that a person had been set on fire. Deputies found Mathis unconscious and badly burned. Fire rescue personnel transported him to the trauma center for emergency treatment.
An arrest report described an argument between Shelton and Mathis earlier in the day. Witnesses told investigators that Shelton threatened to leave and return with someone who would hurt Mathis, according to news reports citing the arrest document. Investigators have not publicly described a broader motive for the confrontation.
Authorities allege Shelton left the area and returned several hours later carrying a container with an unknown liquid accelerant. The arrest report alleges that she obtained a lighter from a witness, approached Mathis during another argument, poured the liquid on him and ignited it. The allegations have not been proven in court.
A witness pursued Shelton after the fire and used pepper spray in an effort to stop her from leaving, according to the arrest report. Witnesses also gave deputies a description of the woman they said was involved. Deputies searching the surrounding area found Shelton nearby and took her into custody without incident, the sheriff’s office said.
Shelton was charged with attempted first-degree murder and arson causing great bodily harm. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said its Homicide Bureau is handling the investigation. The agency has not announced additional arrests or released information indicating that anyone else participated in the alleged attack.
Shelton appeared before a judge Monday, when bond was denied, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Earlier jail information had listed separate bond entries for the charges, but the court appearance provided a more recent custody update. Shelton remains accused of the crimes and has not been convicted.
The sheriff’s office identified Mathis publicly Sunday and said he had burns over at least 80% of his body. Other reporting citing the arrest report said his injuries included second- and third-degree burns and that his prognosis was extremely poor. As of Monday, authorities continued to describe him as critically injured; no official announcement of his death had been made.
The investigation remains active. Authorities have not publicly released additional information about what led to the initial argument, and no later medical update has changed Mathis’ reported critical condition.
Author note: Last updated October 26, 2026.