Hawaii
Elderly man in Hawaii Chinatown set on fire, suspect charged
A Honolulu, Hawaii, police officer directs visitors within the Chinatown District on Dec. 7, 2021.
A 79-year-old Hawaii man sustained first- and second-degree burns throughout his again and neck after a person set his shirt on hearth.
The assault occurred at about 8 a.m. Tuesday in Honolulu’s Chinatown, KHON reported. The aged Asian man was strolling in Honolulu’s Chinatown Cultural Plaza, in line with surveillance footage obtained by Hawaii News Now, when a suspect allegedly walked up behind the person and lit the again of his shirt on hearth with what seemed to be a lighter. The suspect then instantly fled the scene.
A bystander helped extinguish the flames on the person, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported, and known as 911. The person was hospitalized in severe situation at a close-by hospital. His present situation stays unclear.
The suspect was recognized Thursday as 29-year-old Charles Burns. He was charged with first-degree arson and selling harmful medication, Hawaii Information Now reported. One neighborhood member interviewed by the information station mentioned that Burns has a popularity for being “belligerent” and “aggressive” in the direction of folks within the space. He additionally had an assault cost from 2021 that’s nonetheless pending.
Burns’ bail is ready at $500,000, KHON reported.
Honolulu police didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from SFGATE.