PALESTINE, Texas — Looking at 57-year-old Della Witt-Denizeri's smile Tuesday afternoon at Palestine City Hall, it is easy to miss the scars from the terrifying moments she experienced less than a week ago.
On Feb. 21, the Palestine Police Department says Robert Thompson, 40, entered a gas station with the intentions of robbing it.
Police say he also tied up the clerk and Witt-Denizeri, who was a customer.
Then Thompson allegedly doused the women in lighter fluid and set Witt-Denizeri on fire.
After recovering in a Dallas burn center, not even a week later, Witt-Denizeri bravely sat in front of the media to share her story of survival.
"I just want [everyone] to know that I'm OK," Witt-Denizeri said. "If it wasn't for their prayers, I have no doubt that every prayer that went up needed to be going up for us."
She was hardly shaken by the attention. Rather, Witt-Denizeri shared a story of strength and resilience in the face of terror and did so with a sense of positivity.
Witt-Denizeri never mentioned Thompson by name, only referring to him with pronouns.
According to Witt-Denizeri, when she came into the store, Thompson initially claimed he worked at the store. However, as a regular customer, she did not recognize him. That is when she realized something was wrong.
"I also knew that Linda was in there," Witt-Denizeri said. "I wasn't going to leave her."
Linda Camire is at the store and a friend of Witt-Denizeri's. What she did not know was Camire was bound with duct tape behind the counter.
Witt-Denizeri says while she appreciates the praises she's received, she believes Camire should be recognized as a hero.
"Linda is a hero," Witt-Denizeri said. "I think I thought that before any of this ever happened. I think if she hadn't been a hero, I've wouldn't have been in that situation."
Witt-Denizeri says the suspect did not immediately try to involve her in the alleged robbery. When she tried to talk to him to get a better idea of his intentions, she felt he wanted her to leave the store, something she did not intend to do with her friend still inside.
"I think he saw the resolve in my face, that I wasn't leaving," Witt-Denizeri remembered. "I saw Linda on the ground, then I saw it was a robbery."
At that moment, the man made her get on the ground next to Linda. Witt-Denizeri says at the time, her main concern was for her friend on the ground.
"I just could not get to Linda fast enough to hold her hand and let her know somebody was with her," Witt-Denizeri remembered. "After that, it was quiet. He taped me up and it was quiet."
During those terrifying moments, Witt-Denizeri says she was trying to remain calm. Her faith kept her from losing control, while also keeping her at peace should the worst happen.
“I was never really afraid in there," Witt-Denizeri explained. "I’m a Christian and I love the Lord, and the Holy Spirit walks with me wherever I go. And I’m pretty sure that’s what was in control that day for my words and my actions. So, I never felt any fear and I’m hoping Linda didn’t feel too much once somebody else was there with her.”
Witt-Denizeri says she was preparing herself for death and did not expect to be lit on a fire.
"I really anticipated being shot in the head," Witt-Denizeri said. "I did not anticipate a fire at all until he started throwing [the lighter fluid] on us."
Partially, due to the fluid, the tape on her began to loosen. Witt-Denizeri says she was able to see the flames on her, and that is when she realized she had to act fast.
"I wasn't quite sure where the flames were, I wasn't positive it was on me until I got up," Witt-Denizeri explained. "My main concern was to get, to get Linda out, but the fire needed to be put out. So, that's what I did first."
Police quickly responded to the scene to help the women. Witt-Denizeri was rushed to a local hospital before being taken to a burn center in Dallas.
"I am still beside myself to see how quick this department came together," Witt-Denizeri said as she stood up to embrace each of the detectives present at the press conference. "I really, really appreciate it. All you guys."
Thompson was later arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated robbery.
"I'd probably give him a hug to tell you the truth," Witt-Denizeri said about Thompson. "OK, a real hug. And I will tell him, 'As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing to forgive.' But when it comes to my friend Linda, I cannot forgive that. I won't forgive that."
Witt-Denizeri remains chiefly concerned about her friend who may have had to face that situation alone.
Camire took time to truly cope with the robbery and Witt-Denizeri says her friend is finally getting back to being herself and regaining a sense of normalcy.
"I'm very happy, very thankful that Linda is okay," Witt-Denizeri said. "It's been awhile since I've seen her smile. But, you know, I've seen her smile the last few days."
Perhaps those smiles were brought upon by the woman whose devotion to her faith, courage and friendship refused to leave Camire alone.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Witt-Denizeri has kept a positive attitude. With scars on her fingers and her hair shaved down, she joked she enjoyed her new look.
"Women don't realize how freeing it is when you get your hair cut this short because air is on your scalp for the first time and it's really freeing," Witt-Denizeri said with a smile. "It's wonderful. I think I'll keep it for awhile."
Even though she survived a truly traumatic experience, Witt-Denizeri has a simple, yet profound view of the her experience and what has occurred afterward.
"It's joy," Witt-Denizeri explained. "It's a different joy I have brought away from that. It's a not joy about things. It's a joy about trust. It's a joy about promises. His promises. He protected us. And that's why we're here today. Everything, everything that day was done by a higher power."