'Dangerous' Suspect Sets Homeless Man On Fire
By Tom Mustin
DENVER (CBS4) - Chilling surveillance video obtained by CBS4 shows the horrifying moments when a homeless man was set on fire.
"He didn't deserve it. He was a good guy," Henry Martinez told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
On Nov. 6 at approximately 10 p.m, a man known to shop owners as "Matthew" had been sleeping outside a liquor store on East 58th Avenue in Adams County.
"He never asked anybody for nothing, he would just sit there and mind his own business, " said Martinez.
The video shows a man who comes up out of nowhere and, unprovoked, pours an accelerant on Matthew then sets him on fire. The attacker then stabs Matthew several times. The brutal assault actually puts out the flames, at which point the enraged attacker dumps a burning trash can on the victim.
"He takes some of those trash contents and puts them on the victim to reignite him, " said Sgt. Jim Morgen with the Adams County Sheriff's Office.
The attacker then casually walks away with one of Matthew's crutches, which is on fire.
Morgen says in his more than 20 years of law enforcement, this case is one of the most disturbing.
"Pretty awful to see that video, I got to tell you. What we saw on the video, no one should have to endure that."
Martinez owns Mile-High Flawless Cuts. He has known Matthew for seven years. He has washed Matthew's hair at his barber shop, and considers him a friend.
"I know he didn't have family but he had us and we cared about him. In the mornings he would offer to throw out my trash, clean up my parking lot. He had a heart."
And with a defenseless man fighting for his life in critical condition, Martinez is hoping for justice.
"I hope they catch him, bro. Like I said, Matthew didn't deserve this."
Matthew is in critical condition with burns over 60 percent of his body, The sheriff's office says the suspect is a white or hispanic man, 5'8 to 6 feet tall, with a stocky build. He was wearing a a hooded sweatshirt with a "Cross Fit Reebok" logo.
The Sheriff says the suspect should be considered extremely dangerous. Detectives are worried he may strike again. If you have any information in this case call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867)
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
