Cornell McNeal, 26, was charged Friday afternoon with attempted capital murder, rape and two counts of arson in connection with the attack at Fairmount Park Nov. 14 that left a 36-year-old woman in critical condition.

Fairmount Park is located one block south of the Wichita State campus.

Prosecutors are also offering an alternative charge of attempted first-degree murder, said Dan Dillon, a spokesman for the District Attorney’s office.

The woman was found “within the fire,” beaten and sexually assaulted, according to police.

McNeal and the victim had a “random encounter” last Friday night in Fairmount Park, police said, and the attack occurred a short time after. It appears the two did not know each other before the attack, Wichita Police Capt. Troy Livingston said.

The victim suffered burns to 55 percent of her body and was still in critical condition Friday at Via Christi St. Francis hospital.

McNeal was arrested Wednesday night in the 2700 of North Battin — the neighborhood south of the Hughes Metropolitan Complex at 29th and Oliver Streets. Police were “able to link the suspect through evidence which was obtained by forensic nurses” at the hospital, Interim Police Chief Nelson Mosley said in a media briefing Thursday.

McNeal’s bond was set at $250,000, Dillon said. He will appear in a preliminary hearing on Dec. 4.

Wichita State University sent an emailed statement to students, faculty and staff Thursday afternoon after McNeal’s arrest. The university also hosted a campus safety forum on Tuesday in response to the attack.

“The Wichita State University community is encouraged that the arrest announced today may represent the first step toward a resolution of the tragic crime discovered at Fairmount Park last weekend,” the statement reads.