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WICHITA, Kan. -- Police continue to search for suspect(s) after a woman was beaten, sexually assaulted and set on fire late Friday night in northeast Wichita.
This happened between 10: 50 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Friday at Fairmount Park in the 1600 block of North Gentry. That's just south of the Wichita State University campus.
Fire crews initially responded to a grass fire next to the tennis courts in the park, and that's when they found a 36-year-old woman inside the fire with burns all over her body and cuts to her head.
Investigators later discovered that she was sexually assaulted.
People around the neighborhood say they can't believe this happened in this family-friendly park.
"I think this is a great neighborhood and has been historically a very safe place to live and that makes this very disturbing," says Brody Wellman.
Cierra Bethea has lived near the park for 8 years, she says this unthinkable crime makes her want to move.
"It kind of makes me feel uncomfortable just living over here now," says Bethea. "To know that I'm not safe anymore. That somebody could come do this and we have a lot of kids that live around here."
Police went door-to-door in neighborhoods around the park over the weekend asking if anyone saw what happened. They say so far they don't have any witnesses to the assault. They also called in serveral people for interviews but so far, have very little go on.
Wellman hopes that changes soon, because he says whoever did this needs to be punished.
"It's an outrage," says Wellman. "This someone has to be held accountable for this. It's beyond words I can't describe how disturbing it's been."
Wichita police officers are working with Wichita State University officials, and are planning an impact meeting for the neighborhood.
As of Monday morning, the woman remains hospitalized in critical condition with burns to 55% of her body. Because of her condition, investigators have been unable to speak with her. Police still aren't sure if the attack was random or targeted.
Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 or Crime Stoppers at 267-2111.