A poor homeless man, who used to hang out in an L.A. neighborhood for more than 20 years, was chased, doused with gas and set ablaze. He died at the scene from his injuries.
The man hanged out at the multi-ethnic Mid-Wilshire neighborhood for more than two decades without causing any problems to the people living there. He never asked for money and was frequently seen sitting outside a dental office near Berendo and 3rd streets in California. He was called “John”; no one knew his real name or his whereabouts.
The regulars at the California Donut shop usually bought him coffee and donuts. A couple of Asian men took him for showers and a haircut. Central American and Mexican immigrants gave him some food. Asit Bhowmick, the Bangladeshi Owner of the Bengal Liquor Store told
LA Times:
"His priorities were cigarettes, Dr Pepper, hot Cheetos and, once a week, he would buy C batteries for his radio”
Jorge Garcia, owner of La Morenita Oaxaquena restaurant, said John never bothered anyone for money or food. People donated voluntarily. But last night a group of teenagers decided to hurt him.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, a woman came screaming to Garcia that she needed a fire extinguisher. When Garcia ran outside he saw John lying on his back in a nearby parking lot, whis body still ablaze.
John was burnt beyond recognition, his clothes burned off, and his face blackened and swollen. He died from his injuries.
The Los Angeles Police Depart (LAPD) are investigating the incident and have made no arrests so far.
Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz told LA Times:
This is one of the cruelest crimes you can imagine...As an officer who has responded to many murders over the years, this is amongst the most horrific.
One eyewitness saw a young Latino man in his 20s with short brown hair and wearing a large black T-shirt running away from the scene. The police think he may have bought the gasoline from the neighborhood just before the attack. The attacker or attackers left a red plastic gas container at the scene.
Police are also investigating the background of John. He was in his 50s with a beard and blue eyes and may have lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years.
His regulars are puzzled and shocked by this grizzly incident and many said that he never bothered them.
Luis Ortega, one of the residents said justice will prevail. He told the LA Times:
Karma is coming...Karma is going to come and get whoever did this.
Cruel end for an L.A. homeless man
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