YUBA CITY — Law enforcement officers responded to a McDonald's restaurant in Yuba City after 11 p.m. on Saturday for a reported assault. Investigators stated that a coworker threw hot oil on 20-year-old shift manager Jacob Smith during the incident.
Smith sustained second-degree burns across 22% of his body, with injuries located on his face, neck, hands, shoulder, and upper torso. Police Lieutenant Michael Bullard stated, "The victim was up walking around ambulatory and able to communicate with them, but had obvious burn marks on his upper torso and his face area." Medical personnel transported Smith to a Sacramento-area hospital for specialized treatment.
Investigators allege that 23-year-old Jalani Bluett, a coworker, threw the hot oil on Smith and then fled the restaurant before police arrived. The Sutter County Sheriff's Office issued a missing person alert for Bluett after family members reported him missing. The Sheriff's Office confirmed Bluett has a disability but did not specify the condition. Deputies located and arrested Bluett shortly after midnight on June 1.
An arraignment for Bluett was held in Sutter County Court. He faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, serious felony assault resulting in great bodily injury, and battery causing serious bodily injury. Lieutenant Bullard confirmed, "The arraignment was yesterday in the Sutter County Court, at which time he was held to answer on assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, serious felony assault resulting in great bodily injury, and he was held to answer on that at the arraignment, and currently he is being held in Sutter County with no bail." Investigators have not determined a motive for the attack.