Crime & Justice

Chicago’s Homeless ‘Walking Man’ Lit on Fire While Lying Down

SENSELESS

Joseph Kromelis, 75, sustained burns on almost half of his body and is, according to one police officer, unlikely to survive.

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Chicago Police Department via CBS

A 75-year-old homeless man was drenched in flammable liquid and lit on fire in downtown Chicago early Wednesday morning, police said. Joseph Kromelis is a well-known figure among the city’s homeless population who often walks around the downtown area; hence his nickname, “Walking Man.” Kromelis was lying down and asleep when a suspect, who authorities say was caught on surveillance cameras going into the city’s metro system, lit him on fire. Kromelis sustained burns on almost half of his body before a security guard from a nearby building put the blaze out with a fire extinguisher. A local police officer said he was told Kromelis, who is in critical condition, is unlikely to survive. Nearly six years ago to the day, Kromelis was attacked by someone with a baseball bat.

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