BURNING BUM

Hoo boy! I hate... and I meen I shore do H A T E when this happins to my chaps-wearin' ass...

From KRIS TV
Police are trying to track down at least 6 men, who set a homeless man on fire early Tuesday morning.

It happened on Leopard Street around 3:45am.

Investigators believe the attack was isolated, but some folks who live in the area believe otherwise, and claim they've become targets for violence.

The incident was caught on tape by cameras outside the Metro Ministries building.

It's the first incident like this documented on video, but some tell us it's not the first time something like this has happened.

The disturbing video shows two cars headed down Leopard.

They appeared to turn around after spotting the man sleeping on a bus stop bench, and after getting a closer look, they pull into the parking lot next to him.

At least 6 men got out, walk over to him with some kind of fire accelerant, and moments later, the homeless man burst into flames.

Witness John Mark Williams says, "I heard somebody screaming, I looked up here and he was standing in the middle of the road, the flames was going 3 feet over the top of his head."

The men then got back into what looks like an early 1990s style white Chevrolet Camaro and a darker colored 2-door Ford Explorer and drive off, leaving the man behind still burning.

CCPD Capt. John Moseley says, "I don't recall in my career seeing someone set on fire like that, so blatantly, so violently."

The victim, 21-year old Lucas Wiser, has been unable to talk with police because of the extensive treatment he's receiving, and investigators at this point have little to go on.

The cameras that captured the incident do paint a grizzly picture of what happened but the faces and license plates are still blurry and indistinguishable.

"What we saw on the videotape, that's about what we know," says Capt. Moseley.

Investigators do believe the attack in the area known for having a large homeless population was an isolated incident, but many along Leopard say otherwise.

They claim the same group has attacked them several times in just the past few days.

As a result, even those that often depend on strangers for support are having to think twice.

Williams says, "If somebody calls you to their car or something, they may not be wanting to give you change, they may be wanting to spray on lighter fluid and light you up."

Wiser is said to be relatively new to life on the streets.

He remained under intensive care at Spohn Memorial Thursday night, and police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the suspects to call CCPD Crimestoppers at 888-TIPS.