After two weeks with no arrests, the Ventura community is rallying for a homeless man who was doused in lighter fluid and set on fire on the beach of a quiet seaside town.
John Frazier has been recovering from his burn injuries after what some described as an unthinkable nightmare. Residents are still reeling from the news of that he was attacked while sleeping near the San Buenaventura State Beach just before 11 p.m. on Jan. 17.
"I can't imagine a human being setting another human being on fire, at all," Ventura resident Jim Shook said. "It's just incomprehensible."
A passerby and rescuer described flames as high as 5 to 6 feet to police, and helped put out the fire by throwing sand on him before calling 911, Ventura Police Department Sgt. Kenny Welch said last week.
Two weeks after the attack, those responsible are still at large. But a group of good Samaritans have come together to help the homeless man at a time when he needs it most.
"I cannot imagine, after everything he's been through, to go back to the streets," said Dawn Alexander, who started an online fundraiser for Frazier.
Although now living in Michigan, Alexander is a Ventura native who, once she heard about Frazier's ordeal, decided to do something and help the ailing man.
"It's not fair, he didn't deserve that, no one deserves that," Alexander said. "Even though I'm in Michigan, if something is laying on your heart to do something, you should go for it, it doesn't matter where you're at."
So far, the online fundraiser she created has received over $3,700 dollars in donations.
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The goal is to provide Frazier with a safe environment once he's out of the hospital where he can continue to heal his wounds, not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.
"It really hurts my heart," resident Harriet Shook said. "It's a horrible, heinous crime and it deeply saddens me."
Ventura police are looking at forensic evidence in the case, while still searching for the three people seen in these surveillance photos who they say may have information that can help authorities.
"We're asking for those people in those photographs, or anyone else that may have seen anything in the area at the time to please contact us," Ventura Police Cmdr. Tom Higgins said.
"You would think that somebody would have come forward and that somebody would have seen it, especially in two weeks," Shook said.
Anyone who wishes to donate can visit the YouCaring fundraiser page.
