Particle.news

Man Set on Fire While Sleeping Outside Penn Station as Police Hunt Suspects

Conflicting accounts of an arrest leave the search unresolved.

Overview

  • Police say a 37-year-old man believed to be homeless suffered second-degree burns after his clothing was ignited outside Penn Station just before 9 p.m. Monday.
  • First responders quickly extinguished the flames and took the victim to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell’s burn unit, where his injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
  • Authorities released descriptions for three people seen at the scene, including suspects in a black jacket with blue jeans, a brown jacket with gray pants and gray hat, and all-black clothing with a backpack and shoulder-length hair.
  • ABC7 reports a 47-year-old man on parole is in custody and two others are being sought, while other outlets report no arrests, underscoring unresolved details as the investigation continues.
  • The attack is being discussed in the context of scrutiny over the city’s response to street homelessness following recent cold-weather deaths and the mayor’s decision to resume encampment sweeps.