Fort Lauderdale man set fire to car with him and his ex inside, BSO says

A Fort Lauderdale man is accused of lighting his car on fire while he and his former partner were inside, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

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The incident happened on Friday in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven gas station, located at 3100 NW Ninth Ave. in Oakland Park, BSO said in an arrest affidavit.

Franklin Davis, 84, was with a woman, whom he had been in a relationship with for 42 years, the affidavit said. They ended their relationship a few months ago and were arguing in the car.

The victim, who was not identified, told deputies that Davis suddenly grabbed a plastic bottle filled with gasoline and poured it across the dashboard and the front seats of the car, the affidavit said. He ignited the gasoline with a red lighter while she was seated in the rear driver side seat, causing the interior to erupt into flames.

She sustained third-degree burns to her left leg, and Davis was burned on his hands and face, the affidavit said. She told deputies that she believed Davis intended to “burn her up” inside the car.

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The incident was captured on the store’s surveillance camera, and the footage “accurately depicted” her statements, the affidavit said.

They were taken from Broward General Hospital to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment of their burns, the affidavit said. Davis was taken into custody on charges of arson causing bodily harm, attempted first-degree murder and criminal attempt to commit a first-degree felony, the affidavit said.

Davis’ attorney, Terrence Conover, didn’t respond Tuesday to a request for comments. Davis was being held without bond, according to Broward court records.

At this time, there is no indication that mental illness played a role in the incident, according to a BSO spokesperson. Davis was treated and released into police custody, and the woman is still being treated at the hospital.

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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM.