BOSTON - A homeless man sleeping in a park was attacked early Sunday by two men who kicked him in the stomach and then set him on fire, police said.

No arrests were made and police gave no indication of what might have provoked the attack.

The 30-year-old homeless man, whose name was not released, told police he was awakened by the men kicking him in Langone Park in the city's North End.

He drifted back to sleep after the assault, but the men returned, drenched him with a flammable liquid and set his legs on fire, police said.

A 911 caller reported flames in the park, and firefighters found the man wrapped in a blanket after he had ripped off some of his burning clothes.

"He was shivering and was partially dressed," said police spokesman John Boyle.

The park is a short walk from a cluster of downtown bars.

The victim was treated at Massachusetts General Hospital for burns to his legs.

Nationally, the number of assaults against the homeless has risen dramatically since 2002, according to a recent report by the National Coalition for the Homeless. In 2005, 73 homeless people were assaulted nationwide and 13 died, the report said.

Last August, a 40-year-old homeless man died in Boston after he was beaten. Two teenagers have been charged with manslaughter.

In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a surveillance camera captured two people beating a homeless man to death with baseball bats, the same night two other men were seriously injured. Three teenagers have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder.


What the fuck is wrong with people that they have to attack the poor homeless people? Isn't it bad enough that a person has no roof over his head or food for his belly, and then some asshole(s) come along and do this shit to them? I really can't understand why someone would even think of doing this; they really must have no life of their own. People who do this kind of thing to poor homeless people need to be out on the street themselves for awhile, maybe that would open their eyes a little as to how rough it is. Some people are just plain evil.

North End.....

I get so violent when I hear this kinda shit. Like buttfuck them with a steak knife violent. And I wouldn't flinch doin it.

psychodelicide said:

I THINK THAT WAS WRONG HE WASN,T MESSING WITH ANY ONE WE TREAT HOMELESS PEOPLE SO BAD WHEN ALL THEY REALL WANT IS SOMEONE TO LOVE THEM AND SHOW SOME KINDNESS DON,T U THINK SO

AndGodCreatedMe said:

This is sick. I am really so pissed at how people treat the homeless like shit.

Spookymuffin said:

this is not something you make fun off