Mid-Wilshire: Homeless man is set on fire

A homeless man died after he was doused with flammable liquid and set on fire on 3rd Street between Berendo Street and New Hampshire Avenue about 9:40 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

—Richard Winton

Comments

[Eric Jackson]

I had heard on the news of the homeless man in the Mid-Wilshire area who was set on fire and burned to death a few weeks ago. Today, I was at the voting poll and somehow the subject came up while I was talking to a couple of strangers standing in line. It only took a few moments for me to realize that the homeless man who was murdered was my neighbor and friend JOHN! I broke down crying at the polls.

I have lived on the same block where John would often sleep and spend part of his days. I've known and spoken to him for the past 15 years. Whenever I went jogging in the early morning hours I always made sure I put a $5 bill in my running shorts and I made sure I found John and spoke with him and gave him "breakfast"' money. I am so heartbroken at what has happened to him. This was as much his neighborhood and his home as any one else's and he was a good man.

I am so very glad to hear how much he is missed by so many who live in the area. I did not know he had been looked after so warmly by the community. It is so very difficult to know that he is gone and I won't see him again. I will always remember this day, both as it being an historic presidential election day, and as it being the day I learned that John is gone.

[St1L03]

This was aired on Americas Most Wanted Saturday 11/1/08

[NaNa]

SHOCK!!! That is the first instinct that overwhelms me. I have lived 18 years of my life here i have grown to know the "gangsters" as well as residents up and down from what i call "my hood"! This is my environment and John was definetly a part of it. I have grown to know every piece of it that makes it so unique, even the gangsters people misjudge although i know not all are the same most protect the area. I left to college a couple of months ago and just now that i returned i hear of this tragedy. It makes me realize how much things change and how this new generations has taken over without any respect for residents like John. I know he was homeless but very much a part of our community he was a person that was a cool homie to talk to if you just took the time to say wats up! I cant believe he's gone its unrealistic i know he will surely be missed by all those have grown up here. May he rest in peace and have a much better life in hands of god.

[Damian]

Just about a year ago i moved out to the valley after having called this neighborhood, home, for almost 14 and a half years. everyday of my life. for as long as i can remember. i saw john. it wasn't until recently (around middle school) that i started to say hi to him. i would always walk by on my way home and say hello to him and hed reply hello back. that was our communication. he always smiled. he was good guy. never did anything to hurt anyone...i heard about his death from my father who heard it from someone else. i was shocked. i got chills all over my body as my father told me. i asked myself, who could do this...and then i remembered the reasons why i ended up leaving that neighborhood. gangs. to have killed him in that way...burned him alive...its horrible...those who did it have no heart. but their guilt shall eat away at them. and when it does they will turn themselves in. and justice shall be served...in the bible it says that when the blind die they get to see god. and that when those who have nothing, will have everything in the next life. i hope that john is with god and living it up, up there. Rest in peice john. i hope your murderers will be served their piece of justice swiftly

[nikki]

I met this man once while on my way to see a hospice patient on New Hamsphire. I parked right in front of him and watched people go around him and hold their noses. The stench was stinging but I did not want to make him feel bad so I didnt hold my nose. He walked up to my car and asked me what type of music I was listening to. He said something to the effect of liking the music, it was Regina Spektor the Hotel Song. I remember being foolish and wondering why he would he care to ask about music as if to imply because he is homeless he has no feeling about something as common as music choice . I gave him the change that I had. I remembered feeling very sorry for him because he was showing lots of skin. It made me instantly thankful for the things i had but I felt so bad that he was living that way. Now I am glad to know that some in the neighborhood fed him and the donut shop lady as well. She was kind enough to let me park in her spot instead of the street and also knew the patient I was visiting. I say this to say that many of us in the community do care and try to do what is within our means to help someone even if we cant change the situation. Looking back I wish I would have had more money on me to give to him. This should remind us not to take anything for granted and to help when we can. Rip Sir.

[kim smith]

This is the most herendous crime that I've ever heard of tso much that I am lost for words, in disbelief, and full of grief. How can someone be so cruel to set another human being on fire is just baffling to me. Regardless of his position in life he was still a human being, his family was on our local news talking of their brother who lost his job, then a failed relationship, set into deep depression and alcoholism and he choose to live on the streets, pictures where shown of his earlier years in life as a college student and a working class citizen that eventually fail prey of a mental illness, something that can happen to anyone of us. I'm sure to the person(s) who done this you have a few drunks in in your own family why not go set them on fire. Let me share this with whomever done such an act of violence and to everyone who reads the blogs, you maybe running from this crime you commented but you will be apprehended and if not you can never hide from God he see your every move and it's your conquences that will mentally tear you down. Once you are caught I do hope that you are given the death penalty and trust the boys in prison aren't as fond of people like you inside, you feel me. Your final call is when you stand before God and your sentence to "HELL" then you know what it really feels like to be burned alive. To the family of this man may God bless you. Although the capture of this person(s) can never bring back or fullfill the possibility of having your brother return to reality look for the memories threw Christ the son of God who deid for us all even those that have sinned

[kim smith]

this is the most herendious act of crime, I'm lost for words, in disbelief, and full of anguish. To the person who commited this crime I hope that you are apprehended soon, and when you are your prosecuted to the fullest, and the death penalty given to you, but not far worst of what you will endure during your time in prison. Your judgment day will really come when you stand before God and sentence to the final chapter "HELL". This man was a human being, though homeless, he did not diserve to die in such a senseless, heartless act. Look at your local news this man had a family that were abiding citizens, his sisters spoke in his defense on the being a good man that suffered from alcoholism and some mental illnesses i'm sure you have 1, 2 or maybe more in your qwn family but he rathered to had been on the streets than in an instituiton because there he was mistreated as well, but not as hynious as to what you have done. There were pictures shown of his early years as a college student, a working man, who had pride and dignity about himself, something you know nothing of> His choice of lively hood was his own, his death was not a decision for you to make. To his family may God strengthen and Bless you all for you all knew well of your brother and his life let your memories be those of great times and not of this act of violence that has touch alot of people. The person(s) will be caught and brought to justice until that daycomes you better believe they are hiding from the law but not from God and their day shall come.... God Bles you

[mewho]

this is the most unhumane thing a person could do to another human being. I 'm totally shocked, lost for words and in dismay that someone could actually take the time to do such a herendous act. I do hope this person(s) is apprenhended and punished to the fullest by law but he/she your punishment at the end of eternity will be far worst God has a place just for you and it's called HELL so you too will expierence the same pain and endure what he went threw. You are heartless, cold and have absolutely no conscious toward another human being. I do hope that during your prison stay that you suffer in agony just as this man did. People we must pray for those that are sick minded like this person and also realize there are some cruel people out there in our world. Pray for the soul of the deceased because he did not desreve to die in vain like this.

[gina]

This breaks my heart. When we pick on our most feeble what does it say about us?

[tom]

Only God can coorect this wrong, and he will!

[Mother T.]

This incredible act of cruelty can only be mitigated by the expanded story in the LA Times that revealed the many acts of kindess toward the man known only as "Mr. John." Evidently a neighborhood fixture for twenty years, he was fed and even bathed by various neighbors and residents. His vulnerable existence allowed others to show goodness. Unfortunately it also allowed a manifestation of evil. I continue to pray for the light to overcome the darkness.

[Jak]

Rest In Peace John.

[mozer]

this is horrific and very sad to me its a story that does break my heart to think how there are really cruel cold people in this world; also teaches the imortance of being kind to EVERYONE before it's to late and > we have regrets you know- just my own opinion here.

[long time resident]

I am very sad about the news of john. I have been living in this neighboorhood for 20yrs and I am very shocked of what a human being could do to another human being. I remember growing up and seeing john every day just back and forth down 3rd street never bothering anyone. I JUST WANT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO LOOK INTO THESE YOUNG GANG MEMBERS AND THEY WILL HAVE THEIR ANWERS. "GANG INITIATION"may john u rest in peace and those punks will get what they deserve.

[John]

This is simply one of the most inhumane crimes possible. When these gang bangers kill each other it is simply Darwinism at work but something like this should never occur in a civilized society. Everyone needs to stand our city because the Police and the Mayor certainly are not. If you witnessed this or any other crime it is your duty as an American to talk to the police. If you can't do that you are as bad as the scumbags that did this and you will burn at your judgement day just as they will

[louie]

On the commute home to the Valley we often saw this man; old and grizzled, and as the article discribed him : Buddha-like. A little overweight, always sitting in his same spot, as the article discribes. Blue eyes contrasting in a sun-leathered bearderd bearded fleshy face. Yes, he was "buddha-like" , on my way home we always saw him there..sometimes with his "earbuds" listening to "tunes" ...as we always thought he might. I was so saddened and crushed that he was murdered. Once in passing I saw a young latin girl hand him a dinner container ...I was touched ...today ..never having personally known him...nevertheless...I feel grief...at least he is free from his pain. I pray for forgiveness, yet harsh justice, for his aggressors.

[Rick]

This is beyond low. To throw gas on the man and just set him on fire like this is just so cruel. It is just some ruthless animals in this city.

[Tim McGarry]

Such wanton cruelty. I can't remember the last time i heard of anything so completely horrifying. I'm familiar with that stretch of 3rd and noticed the man many times. I feel very, very sad for him.

[mal]

i recenlty moved to this neigborhood from Boston. I have seen this man who was very much in need of socail services and that I have even tried to help him out with money once in a while. This crime has shocked me to the core, to realize that people are capable of this kind of cruelty is truly a very negative eye opener.

[private]

It is sad what some in our society are capable of. I was there and was one of the three that tried to save the man's life. I am sad to know he has passed away. If anyone saw the people please come forward.

[Kelly]

I am appalled at such cruelty. What kind of a society do we live in? I can't imagine anyone can sleep at night after doing this to a human being. I hope they catch the perpetrators and persecute them to the extend of the law.