Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that an arrest has been made by the City of Tonawanda Police Department and charges have been filed against Jonathon E. White, 28 of the City of Tonawanda in relation to the vicious attempted murder of his former girlfriend.  It is alleged that on Monday, December 17, 2018, White lured the victim to a secluded area outside a Tim Hortons restaurant where he doused her with an accelerant and set her on fire, causing her extensive burn injuries.  White also sustained injuries in the attack, though they were far less severe.

“This is a horrific case.  Domestic Violence will not be tolerated in this community.  We should take this opportunity to remind families and friends of victims that there are resources to help them.  We are prosecuting the defendant to the fullest extent possible,” said DA Flynn.  Flynn went on to praise the work of the City of Tonawanda Police and Fire Departments for their rapid response to the attack and for preserving critical evidence at the scene.  He further praised the Erie County Sheriff’s Arson investigators for developing additional evidence.

White is charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Arson in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, and Menacing in the Third Degree.  He was arraigned at the Erie County Medical Center this afternoon.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, December 27, 2018 in Tonawanda City Court.

The case is being prosecuted by Rebecca Schnirel of the Domestic Violence Bureau and Ryan Haggerty of the Tactical Prosecution Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.