A 45-year-old man set himself ablaze in the heart of Times Square on Sunday, in a shocking incident that left bystanders stunned. The self-immolation occurred just months after a deadly arson attack in a subway car claimed the life of a woman.
Man Engulfed in Flames, Rushed to Hospital
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), officers discovered the man engulfed in flames at approximately 4 AM (local time). Emergency responders quickly intervened and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage from the scene reveal the man, shirtless and severely burned, running nearly 100 feet westward while on fire. A good Samaritan jumped out of a car and used a powder fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Authorities reported that the accelerant used in the incident was stored in a Patrón tequila bottle, but it remains unclear whether the act was self-inflicted or if foul play was involved. The assailant, if any, allegedly fled the scene.
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Rising Street Violence Sparks Debate in New York
This incident has further fueled concerns about street violence in New York, a major issue in the city’s upcoming mayoral elections. Former governor Andrew Cuomo described the city as being “out of control” and pledged to deploy 5,000 additional police officers if elected. In contrast, current Mayor Eric Adams dismissed the notion that police shortages were the root cause of crime and instead pointed to bail reforms introduced during Cuomo’s administration.
Despite these debates, official statistics indicate a significant drop in crime rates across the city. “Stop saying our city is in ‘chaos and crisis’! It is not,” Adams declared last week.
Similar Incident Occurred Months Ago
The incident in Times Square comes just three months after a tragic arson attack in a New York subway car. In that case, 57-year-old Debrina Kawam lost her life after being set on fire. Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan migrant worker, was arrested hours later and charged with murder and arson.
Police reports revealed that Zapeta did not flee the scene and was found with a lighter in his pocket. “Lighting another human being on fire and watching them burn alive reflects a level of evil that cannot be tolerated,” the mayor’s office said in a statement following Kawam’s death.