A 45-year-old man was set on fire in the heart of New York City's Times Square. The victim, who was found near West 41st Street and 7th Avenue, was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition. According to police, the suspect fled the scene and remains at large. Authorities are investigating whether the attack was random or targeted.
The incident occurred around 4 a.m. when the victim was reportedly doused with a flammable liquid from a Patron tequila bottle and set ablaze. Witnesses described seeing the man on fire but did not witness the attack itself. A passerby extinguished the flames using a powder fire extinguisher. The New York Police Department (NYPD) is reviewing camera footage and believes the suspect may have known the victim, although the motive remains unclear.
This attack comes just three months after a similar incident in which a woman, Debrina Kawam, was fatally set on fire in a subway car. The suspect in that case, Sebastian Zapeta, has been charged with murder and arson. These events have sparked renewed concerns about safety in the city, with street violence becoming a focal point in the upcoming mayoral elections. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has called the city "out of control" and proposed adding more police officers, while current Mayor Eric Adams attributes the issue to bail reforms.
As the investigation continues, the NYPD urges anyone with information to come forward. The suspect was last seen wearing blue clothing. The attack has shocked residents, with many expressing disbelief over the violence occurring in such a prominent area.