Homepage > Boston News

Homeless Man Beaten, Set On Fire

Mayor Vows To Find Attackers

POSTED: 7:18 am EST March 6, 2006
UPDATED: 9:44 am EST March 6, 2006

Volunteers from the Pine Street Inn are giving out warning letters after a homeless man was set on fire in a park this weekend.

Police said two men kicked the 30-year-old victim, Scott Capella, in the stomach before dousing him with flammable liquid and setting him on fire in Langone Park, in Boston's North End early Sunday. He was sleeping on a bench there and was awakened when the men began kicking him. He drifted back to sleep when they left, but they returned and set his clothes on fire.

NewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that Capella was treated for burns to his legs. The disabled construction worker and father of three lived in Vermont before coming to Boston.

Police said that both attackers were described as more than 6 feet tall and one was wearing a Chicago White Sox baseball cap.

The victim managed to rip off some of his burning clothes as his attackers fled. He was treated and released from Massachusetts General Hospital.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino vowed to find the men who initiated the attack.

"We're going to find you. We're going to find you. We're going to lock you up. We're going to take you to trial and we're going to hope the jury and the judge throws the book at you," Menino said.

Police are asking for help from anyone who may know anything about the attack.


Links We Like

Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter. More

Don’t believe everything people tell you about home improvement. Check out the top 4 myths and stop throwing away your money. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Featured On 5

Job Searching Tips

Struggling to find a great job in a bad economy can be tough, but these eight tips can help improve your chances of landing a gig. More