I’ve been trying to find out more about this because the story doesn’t make any sense:

“he approached the sleeping woman, and then lit her on fire with what was believed to be a lighter. She added the victim’s clothes became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds.”

Clothing shouldn’t just be flammable like that without some kind of accelerant.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Statutes/Flammable-Fabrics-Act

  • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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    21 hours ago

    The suspect being an immigrant is the main reason this will be a multi-day national story. It’s a fucked up way to kill someone, but even with that in mind, there’s no way they’d make a national story out of a homeless woman being murdered in NYC except to serve a broader agenda.

  • 9point6@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Homeless people might use layers of all kinds of stuff to stay warm (think newspaper, etc as a common material), they also don’t have the privilege of being able to wash their clothes very often. There could have been all sorts of things that compromise the flame retardancy of the clothing.

    People don’t typically expect to be set on fucking fire while they sleep, so it’s not usually a risk to be concerned about.

    The guy that did this is an absolute psycho

    • ByteOnBikes@slrpnk.net
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      14 hours ago

      There’s no evidence but I’m wondering if the dude came up to this sleeping woman, poured alcohol on her, then lit her up.

  • AriesAspect@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    So we don’t know anything about this thug? Burning homeless people on the subway?!?! Republicans prolly prepping him to be a national celebrity

      • Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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        18 hours ago

        I’d rather hate the lack of mental health and support systems available. If it was just a random act of violence, he’s the suspect is just mentally unwell and you can’t really stop them without structural changes. It’s not hard to find articles and articles about homeless people attacking random people with bricks in NYC.

        • jordanlund@lemmy.worldOP
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          17 hours ago

          That plays into Trumps whole “they’re sending us their criminals and emptying their asylums” bullshit though. :(

          Agreed that mental health care should be a guarantee just like “health care” because, well, it is health care.

          But that won’t be the narrative from the “deport them all” crowd.

  • Machinist@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    I seem to remember a string of copycat attacks where lighter fluid or gas was sprayed inside a kiosk that contained a cashier or person taking tickets. Think there were several deaths.

    Expect that an accelerant like gas or lighter fluid was used in this case. Doesn’t take much.

    Monstrous thing to do.

  • ccunning@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    I don’t know anything about this but in my misspent youth kids would take the regulator off adjustable disposable butane lighters and you could light the lighter and then basically pour the butane out of the lighter.

    Something like that could surely ignite clothing and appear to be “just” a lighter.

        • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          For how many cool and interesting things there are to do at all hours, so many fascinating people to meet, an endless array of delicious foods and beautiful places… A slight nose wrinkle is all it takes to dissuade you?

          Lmfao.

            • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
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              1 day ago

              Uhh, raised there, watched the towers fall, etc.

              “My bOsS aSkEd mE…” What a horribly boring conversation. Would you consider yourself an interesting person?

              • NastyNative@mander.xyz
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                1 day ago

                Sure… NyC Is Th3 b3St… what a stupid comment! No one that lives in NYC likes so I know you full of BS… go away!

                • Tiefling IRL
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                  18 hours ago

                  I live in NYC. I love it. You’re not even from there and actively despise it, so you DEFINITELY don’t get to speak for the locals.

                • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
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                  1 day ago

                  Oh poor guy. Big cities have problems, all of 'em.

                  I’m sorry you had a bad time. You’re still welcome to come visit if you like, and if not, that’s ok too.

                  So long.

          • NastyNative@mander.xyz
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            1 day ago

            I smoke weed but that combo is horrible! Also had a car accident in NYC and the cops dont make a report and the report you make the ins co dont care and deny claim. Fuck NYC

  • exu@feditown.com
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    1 day ago

    It’s pretty well known that polyester and other artificial fibers are very flammable, no?

      • Tiefling IRL
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        18 hours ago

        Polyester propagates pretty easily if the fire is big enough. It only “self extinguishes” sometimes when the gloop of melted plastic falls off, or if the flame is small. But a large flame will for sure spread, especially if it’s a thin and airy fabric or a blend.

        (Am fire performer, I frequently light this shit on fire for safety demos)

    • jordanlund@lemmy.worldOP
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      23 hours ago

      Questioning the physics of the story as reported, not the victim. Clearly they’re absolutely blameless.

      Feels like something is missing, either in the reporting or from the cops.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        23 hours ago

        Wow, I have no idea how you saw that because I deleted it within seconds of writing it when I realized what you meant.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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            23 hours ago

            I honestly said it before I even realized you wrote it and then I saw it was you and was like, “nah, there’s no possible way he’s victim blaming.” So sorry.