An aggravated assault near W. Walburg and Whitaker streets just off Forsyth Park left an adult female with chemical burns on her skin Wednesday night, according to the Savannah Police Department.
The police responded to the attack around 8:15 p.m., according to a police incident report. An eye witness told The Current she heard the victim yelling for help and for water. When she walked out of her house to survey the area, she saw a man had stopped his car to help someone who was lying on the ground.
The witness approached the scene and was running back inside her house to call for help when the police arrived. She said she heard the victim say she was staying in a rental property with her dog not far from where the incident occurred. Fire department personnel had the victim strip out of her clothes to her underwear and bra, then used their hose to clean off the mysterious liquid that left severe burn marks on her face and body.
Emergency Medical Service personnel took the victim to HCA Memorial Health University Medical Center. The witness said workers in hazmat suits arrived to wash off the sidewalk. According to SPD, the attacker is believed to be an adult male and not known to the victim.
“While this was a disturbing incident, we want to reassure our community that we are actively investigating and have increased patrols in our parks out of an abundance of caution,” Savannah Police Chief Lenny B. Gunther said in a press release late Thursday. “Right now we have no evidence that the public faces an ongoing threat.”
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers, 912-234-2020, or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app.