Homeless Man Set On Fire And Killed In Los Angeles

October 11, 2008 6:52 p.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) -- Los Angeles police are looking for whoever set a homeless man on fire Thursday, killing the portly man for no apparent reason.

At 9:30 p.m. Thursday night a woman saw the burning man and ran into a store screaming for a fire extinguisher. By the time help arrived for the man, known as "John," it was too late.

Fire officials told reporters that the man was doused with a flammable liquid, likely gasoline, and set on fire. It is reported that a witness said they saw a man in his 20s flee from the scene, and another witness told the Los Angeles Times he saw several young men pull up to the man in a Honda Civic before pouring a liquid on him and setting him ablaze.

Members of the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood told the paper that the man, who is believed to have been in his 50s, had lived in the area for more than a decade. They said the man rarely asked for money, although many people gave it to him voluntarily. It is reported the bearded blue-eyed man would be an easy target, as he was overweight and his mobility was limited.