The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office arrested both 30-year-old Carlton Forte of Goldsboro and 23-year-old Rayshon Rowe of Pikeville on charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and Intent to Kill. They both are in the custody of the Wayne County Detention Center on secured bonds. Deputies say they also have a warrant for the arrest of Bailey Hair, who is at large.

On April 12, 2022 authorities say Forte, Rowe, and Hair confronted Shane Whitley about a possible criminal act that they were accusing Whitley of. Police say Forte and Hair became irate and began to assault Whitley by punching him. Rowe jumped in shortly after and once Whitley was on the ground they began to kick and stomp on him. Rowe allegedly went to the back of his truck and grabbed a gas can and poured gasoline on Whitley. Police say Hair took a cigarette lighter and set Whitley on fire.

Witnesses on scene ran into their house and filled a trash can up with water while Whitley was rolling on the ground in an attempt to put himself out. Witnesses dumped the water on Whitley extinguishing the fire. Whitley was transported to Wayne UNC Health and later sent to the Burn Center at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Bailey Hair. He is described as a 19-year-old white male with multiple warrants to include: Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury with Intent to Kill, First Degree Burglary, Assault on a Handicapped Person and Felony Larceny. Anyone with information on Bailey Hair’s location is encouraged to contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement.