New York
\nA 45-year-old man was set on fire early on Sunday in the middle of New York\u2019s Times Square, sparking an investigation into the attack.
\nAuthorities have yet to determine whether the incident was random or targeted. The victim, severely burned and shirtless, was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition.
\nAccording to police, the incident occurred around 4 a.m. when the man was found engulfed in flames.
\nInvestigators believe the assailant used a Patron tequila bottle to douse the victim with accelerant before setting him alight.
\nThe man, on fire, ran approximately 100 feet while seeking help. A bystander jumped out of a car and used a powder fire extinguisher to put out the flames, authorities said.
\nThe assailant fled the scene immediately after the attack, and authorities are actively searching for the suspect.
\nWhile police have not confirmed whether the attack was random or specifically targeted, they continue to investigate the motives behind the assault.
\nThis attack follows a similar incident three months ago when a woman, 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, was fatally set on fire aboard a subway car. The tragedy shocked New Yorkers and renewed concerns about safety in the city.
\nIn that case, the suspect, 33-year-old Guatemalan migrant Sebastian Zapeta, was apprehended shortly after the incident. He was charged with murder and arson.
\nNew York\u2019s street violence has become a hot topic ahead of the mayoral elections later this year, with former state governor Andrew Cuomo calling the city \u201cout of control.\u201d Cuomo has vowed to add 5,000 additional officers if elected.
\nIncumbent Mayor Eric Adams, however, argues that the issue is not a shortage of police but rather the impact of bail reforms signed by former Governor Cuomo.
\nStatistics indicate that crime in New York has been trending lower in recent months.
\nDespite this, the recent arson attacks and the rise in street violence continue to dominate public discourse, with safety in urban areas becoming a key issue for voters ahead of the elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York A 45-year-old man was set on fire early on Sunday in the middle of New York\u2019s Times Square, sparking an investigation into the attack. Authorities have yet to determine whether the incident was random or targeted. The victim, severely burned and shirtless, was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":467659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-467650","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n