LA homeless woman set on fire (VIDEO)
Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges he doused a homeless woman with flammable liquid and set her on fire as she slept on a bus bench in Van Nuys.
A homeless woman is in critical condition today after being doused with flammable liquid and set on fire while sleeping on a bus bench in Los Angeles.
Police arrested 24-year-old Dennis Petillo on suspicion of attempted murder in the attack Thursday night, The Associated Press reported.
More from GlobalPost: Florida woman dies months after she was set on fire
According to witness, Petillo walked out of a nearby Walgreens and then doused the 67-year-old woman with flammable liquid, tossed a match on her and ran away.
Witness Dennis Ipina told KTLA he chased Petillo down and called 911 with his cellphone.
More from GlobalPost: Sharmeka Moffitt lied about being set on fire by the KKK, police say
There's no motive in the case, which has rattled even seasoned veterans of the Los Angeles Police Department.
"There was no incident or dispute or clear motivation for this horrific attack. He did not know his victim. It defies explanation," LAPD Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese told the Los Angeles Times. "He is not of sound mind…. The motive is mental illness."
Authorities have not identified the woman, but Van Nuys residents told KTLA she was known as Flo Parker or Violet.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!