Disturbing case has Pierce County detectives saying sleeping man was intentionally set on fire
SPANAWAY -- Pierce County detectives need help solving a disturbing case in Spanaway where they say a homeless man was intentionally set on fire while he slept. The 46 year old victim is still in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center with extreme burn injuries all over his body. The scorch marks leave a frightening reminder of what happened under a car port in Spanaway. Detectives say the victim doesn`t know why he was targeted. “He doesn`t really remember what happened up to the point he was being put out, the fire was being put out,” said Pierce County Det. Ed Troyer. The crime happened March 12th around 10:30pm at the closed-down ‘General Medical Clinic’ near Pacific Ave. S. and Military Rd.
Employees from two nearby fast food restaurants saw the smoke. They first thought the empty building was on fire but when they saw a person covered in flames they quickly put out the fire and called 911. Detectives say they likely saved the man`s life. “He`s still in really bad shape and if somebody intentionally did this or somebody would do something like this we definitely want him caught,” says Det. Troyer. People nearby say the old ‘General Medical Clinic’ was a popular place for transients to set up camp but it`s been empty ever since the fire. Det. Troyer says the victim was well liked and finding a suspect is a top priority. “He was well known in the area, a lot of people knew who he was and had seen him around and that`s why we`re hoping that somebody may have seen him in some sort of altercation or give us a place to start and who he might have been with before this happened and that`s what`s going to take to get this solved.” If you have any information you think can help solve this case, call an anonymous tip into: CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest. CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.
