BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with an incident in Taft, where resident Billy Terry, 44, was set on fire during a gathering on Jan. 22. Terry has suffered severe burns over 70% of his body.
According to the Taft Police Department, Magdaelna Junes was taken into custody just before noon on Feb. 3, 2026, on a Ramey Warrant. She was arrested without incident and booked into the Taft City Jail.
On January 22, 2026, a woman allegedly set Billy Terry on fire after throwing gas on him. The accused, allegedly worked at Terry’s brand new Hungry Grizzly Bear Company restaurant in Taft. Photo Credit: Willella Gorden
The incident happened in the 700 block of K Street, where Junes, a waitress at the Hungry Grizzly Sandwich Company, allegedly threw gasoline on Terry.
Terry has undergone multiple surgeries, including a second skin graft at the Grossman Burn Center at Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield.
Friends at the scene attempted to help by patting him down and calling 911.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Man allegedly set on fire in Taft faces long recovery
A witness, awakened by the screams, said, “When I came out, he was lying right there, and he was burning, smoking.”
On January 22, 2026, a woman allegedly set Billy Terry on fire after throwing gas on him. The accused, allegedly worked at Terry’s brand new Hungry Grizzly Bear Company restaurant in Taft. Photo Credit: Willella Gorden
Terry’s family is now facing significant financial strain due to his extensive medical needs and lack of insurance. If you’d like to donate, visit Terry’s GoFundMe page.
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Police have interviewed multiple witnesses, with one stating they saw an attendee pour gasoline from a gas can onto an active fire, causing it to ignite Terry. No victims indicated that gasoline was poured directly onto Terry.
Junes faces charges of unlawfully causing a fire resulting in serious bodily injury.