Vicious attack against a homeless man

(East Harlem-WABC, Oct. 5, 2007) (WABC) -- A homeless man sleeping in front of a East Harlem church was set on fire by a group of teens Friday morning.

People in the neighborhood say the know the homeless man by the name of "Felix". They say he sleeps on the street and sometimes stays with a girl who lives in a nearby apartment.

Police say the Hispanic man was attacked while sleeping in front of Iglesia Christiana Betania on East 103rd Street just after midnight.

"They don't have no respect for life itself," one resident said upon hearing what happened.

Another resident spoke on homeless people in the neighborhood, "They don't do any thing to people around here. They homeless because of their own reasons, they don't do nothing to anyone, they just live."

Eyewitness News is told as many as three teen boys threw a gasoline-soaked towel on him, setting him on fire. They then fled the scene.

There was outrage and anger as people learned of the attack. Pastor Ariel Soto said "it's an act of evil."

The malicious act happened just feet from Pastor Soto's church, Iglasia Christiana Betania.

"They (the teenagers) play around, they don't think about that happening or what could happen to them. They just do whatever they want to do," said Pastor Soto.

According to officials the victim sustained second and third degree burns over 75 percent of his body. He was listed in critical condition at the burn unit of Cornell Medical Center.

No arrests were immediately made.

Authorities were collecting the man's belongings, including sneakers and a pushcart of possessions, that were left at the crime scene.

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