Vancouver police ask for tips after sleeping homeless woman set on fire
The woman was sleeping on a sidewalk in front of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre when a man set her on fire
Video showing a man setting fire to a homeless woman sleeping on a Vancouver sidewalk has been released by the Vancouver Police Department in the hope people will see it and come forward with tips.
"This was a shocking attack that targeted a vulnerable member of our community, and we hope the public can help solve this crime," said Sgt. Steve Addison. "Fortunately, the victim woke up just in time to put the fire out and escape serious physical injury. A few more seconds and this could have been tragic."
Police say the woman in her 30s was sleeping on Hamilton Street near the Queen Elizabeth Theatre when the unidentified man approached at around 4 a.m., Dec. 13, 2020.
He appears to look around before setting her blanket on fire and leaving.
The fire smouldered for several minutes, spreading to her belongings and burning her jacket.
Security camera captures video of blanket covering sleeping woman being set on fire:
Police say they do not know the identity of the victim and that she did not report the incident to police.
She appears to be white, in her 30s with dark, shoulder-length hair and was wearing a grey, full-length button-up jacket.
The suspect also appears white, between 35 and 50 years old and between five feet five and five feet 10 inches tall. He wore a unique black and white Oakland Raiders jacket at the time of the crime.
Investigators would like to speak to the victim and ask anyone else with information to contact them at the VPD's Major Crime Section: 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-669-8477.