Juveniles set 15-year-old boy on fire, 80% of body burned

Police believe Michael Brewer, 15, was doused with rubbing alcohol and then a lighter was used to set him on fire. The Broward Co. Sheriff describes it as "the most heinous crime" he has ever seen. Five juveniles are in custody; two laughed about it.

According to CNN, Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti told reporters on Tuesday:

In my 31 years -- I always say, 'it's the most heinous crime I've ever seen. This one fits in that category. The fact that a person would intentionally ignite another child on fire -- it's indescribable.

Sheriff Lamberti was speaking about five juveniles who set fire to 15-year-old Michael Brewer. Brewer, who lives in an apartment complex in Deerfield Beach, Florida, goes to school with the five youths. Police indicated that the events leading up to crime began with Brewer owing one of the suspects $40 for a video game, but Brewer had not paid the debt. Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Feeley described how the events then unfolded:

[T]he suspect allegedly stole the victim's father's bicycle. Brewer reported the bicycle stolen Sunday, and the suspect was arrested that day, taken to a detention center and released to his parents early Monday. Neither Brewer nor the suspect went to school Monday, and the victim was waiting at the apartment complex for his friends when the suspect and two other people approached him. From what the suspects and witnesses have told police, the suspect yelled, "He's a snitch, he's a snitch" and "pour it on him." Another juvenile threw what police believe was rubbing alcohol on Brewer from a plastic jug and used a lighter to set him on fire.

CNN affiliate WPLG reported that a resident, using a fire extinguisher, put out the flames. Brewer then jumped into the apartment complex's swimming pool. Of the five youths arrested, police believe two surrounded Brewer to keep him from leaving while the other three took an "active role" in setting Brewer on fire. After being arrested for the "heinous crime," Sgt. Feeley stated that two of the suspects "were laughing about it," reports CNN. Brewer suffered second-degree burns over 80 percent of his body, is in critical condition, and is expected to be hospitalized for five months. Authorities hope to interview Brewer on Wednesday or Thursday.