More than one week after a chemical attack that left a youth church leader permanently blind, police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down the perpetrator, reports Fox 17.
The April 5 attack at the home of Christopher Phiouthong in Smyrna, TN left him blind and seriously burned on more than 51 percent of his body, according to WSMV.
ABC reports the attack happened while Phiouthong was taking a shower and the attacker “threw a powerful liquid chemical on him,” said police.
The victim is a church leader at the Salvation Army in Nashville.
“He’s passionate about Christian hip-hop music and dancing. He is a choreographer,” Pastor Alyssa Irvin said to ABC News. “And he loves the Lord and he is dedicated to making sure that the younger generation grows up having that same love for the Lord.”
Phiouthong has had four surgeries since the attack.
A GoFundMe page that has been set up to help with medical expenses has raised $68,000.
“His mother has said, she’s not mad, she just wants them to come forward and justice to be served for Chris so that we can have more peace and he can continue to heal,” Irvin said to Fox 17. “If anyone knows anything, please come forward. If you don’t know anything, what you can do is pray for Chris because he’s got a long road to recovery ahead of him.”
The Smyrna Police Department can be reached at (615) 267-5434.
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