In March 2019, Raymond Mullen, a 27-year-old from Brigantine, New Jersey, endured a harrowing ordeal when he was intentionally set on fire while asleep on a friend’s couch in Mays Landing. The perpetrators, Brandon Perez and David Sult, doused Mullen with lighter fluid and ignited him, leading to severe burns covering approximately 30% of his body. Mullen managed to drive himself to his mother’s residence in Brigantine, from where he was transported to a burn center in Philadelphia for intensive treatment.

The injuries sustained have left Mullen with permanent nerve damage, an inability to regulate body temperature, and significant scarring. His recovery has been arduous, involving multiple surgeries and continuous medical care. To assist with mounting medical expenses, a fundraising campaign has been initiated, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on Mullen and his family.​

Both Perez and Sult were apprehended and faced charges including aggravated assault and arson. In February 2020, they were each sentenced to five years in prison under a plea agreement. The court mandated that they serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole.

Mullen, once an aspiring motorcycle racer and HVAC apprentice, now focuses on his recovery journey, supported by his family and community