The Houston Police Department is investigating the burning of a 19-year-old Houston special needs male.
HPD Chief Jim McNiell said a call from Texas County Memorial Hospital came in at about 9:20 p.m. Thursday regarding the nature of a patient’s burn injuries and information the patient had provided.
McNiell said investigating officers determined a 44-year-old man and an 18-year-old male, both of Houston, had apparently teamed up at a residence in Houston Tuesday night to set the victim on fire, with the older suspect allegedly spraying cologne around the victim’s midsection and the younger one putting a match to it.
“The victim didn’t tell anyone about his injuries for two days,” McNiell said, “but I guess he was hurting so bad he finally let what had happened be known and his family took him to the hospital.”
The victim reportedly sustained second-degree burns, but no life-threatening injuries. McNiell said the older suspect was detained Thursday night at the Texas County Jail, but then released Friday morning pending further questioning and pursuit of charges.
“We expect to be pursuing charges on both individuals who caused injury to this young man,” McNiell said. “There are a lot of factors that come into play with this, but anybody with any common sense wouldn’t spray cologne on someone and then put a source of ignition to it.”
McNiell said clothing with burn marks on it was seized as evidence, and both suspects will likely face second-degree assault charges (a class C felony).
“And there could be other charges because of the victim’s special needs situation,” he said. “We know word has gotten out in the community about this and we want people to know we’re on it and we’re doing a very thorough investigation.
“This is a hideous act and there has to be some better judgment than that – I don’t care what led to it and it doesn’t matter what the intent was. Fortunately, the injuries involved weren’t worse, but there’s no place for this kind of thing in our community, and I don’t know why someone would feel compelled to do it.”
McNiell said that once his department is done investigating the incident, the Texas County prosecuting attorney will be presented with a report.
“We expect criminal charges to be filed against two people,” he said. “I’m sorry it happened and I’m sure the people involved wish it didn’t happen.”