Jacob Smith smiles from his hospital bed while recovering from severe burns sustained during a May 30 incident at the McDonald’s restaurant on Harter Parkway in Yuba City. Photo Courtesy of GoFundMe

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Nearly three weeks after 20-year-old Jacob Smith was severely burned in an alleged workplace attack at a Yuba City McDonald's, his family said he is home from the hospital and continuing to recover with support from a community that has reached far beyond Yuba-Sutter.

That support will continue next month at Sutter Buttes Brewing, where a local comedy show will raise funds for Smith's recovery.

The "Comedy for a Cause" fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at Sutter Buttes Brewing, 421 Center St. in Yuba City. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature comedian Marc Yaffee and Holly James, with Chicago Steve Barkley serving as host. Barkley said $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to help Smith as he continues to heal.

"I saw it on the news and was absolutely disgusted by what happened to him," Barkley said. "I just don't get the violence that's going on right now. We need to bring back some of that 1960s Summer of Love mentality to everybody."

Smith's injuries have drawn local and national attention since the May 30 incident at the McDonald's on Harter Parkway in Yuba City. According to Yuba City police and multiple news reports, officers were called at about 11:12 p.m. after Smith, who was working at the restaurant, was burned by hot liquid. Investigators later determined the liquid was hot cooking oil from a commercial fryer.

Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Jalani Bluett of Yuba City, a coworker who was also working at the restaurant at the time. Police said Bluett left the restaurant after the alleged assault and was later arrested by Sutter County Sheriff's Office deputies.

Prosecutors have charged Bluett with mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and battery causing serious bodily injury. He has pleaded not guilty and, according to prior reports, was being held without bail in the Sutter County Jail. Police have said the motive remains unclear.

Smith suffered severe burns to his face, neck, hands, shoulder and upper body, according to police reports. His family's GoFundMe page, organized by his mother, Amber Smith, described the injuries as severe second-degree burns to his face, arm and back and said he faced ongoing medical care, recovery-related costs and time away from work.

The fundraiser, titled "Standing with Jacob Through His Recovery," had raised nearly $200,000 as of the latest public total available online. Amber Smith wrote that the funds will help cover rent, utilities, groceries, transportation to medical appointments, lost income and medical and recovery-related expenses while her son focuses on healing.

"At just 20 years old, Jacob has worked hard to build a future for himself," Amber Smith wrote on the fundraiser page. "He is engaged to be married and has always been responsible, hardworking and committed to those he loves."

Despite the pain and trauma, Jacob Smith has shared several public updates expressing gratitude for the support he has received. In a June 4 social media post, he wrote that although the experience was difficult, he felt surrounded by love and support from his family, friends, fiancée and faith community.

"As much as this sucked, I honestly think this was also one of the best things to ever happen to me," Smith wrote. "As much as I want to be angry, or want to hate people and be scared of people, it's just so hard to be when I have so many people showing their love for me."

On June 12, Smith posted that he was being discharged from the hospital ahead of schedule.

"I'm so incredibly happy," he wrote. "It's ahead of schedule and these last few days I've been healing like crazy."

Smith said he would still need to return for follow-up appointments and continued monitoring but was grateful to be going home.

"The pain isn't over yet," he wrote, "but I finally get to go back home."

In a June 13 update, Amber Smith confirmed that her son had been released from the hospital and thanked doctors, nurses and supporters for helping him through the first stage of recovery. She said the family had received messages both publicly and privately that had encouraged them through the ordeal.

"Jacob's spirits have remained so positive and his healing is going so well because of God's grace and all the positive support," she wrote. "Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts."

Amber Smith also wrote that the outpouring of support has shown her how far-reaching faith, love and community can be in a time of crisis.

“It’s nationwide and worldwide,” she wrote. “That is so incredibly encouraging to be a part of seeing.”

For Barkley, the July 19 fundraiser is a way for local residents to add to that support in person through laughter, community and a shared effort to help Smith as he continues the long recovery ahead.

Tickets for the comedy fundraiser are available online at sutterbuttesbrewing.com under the "Speakeasy" tab. Those unable to attend may donate directly through the GoFundMe page established for Smith's recovery.