$1K Reward Offered For Suspect In Homeless Burn Attack Case
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4)- Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a homeless man accused of setting another homeless man on fire.
Police said 58-year-old John Gibbons set William Stouffer on fire at around 4 a.m. Friday near their homeless camp. According to police the incident occurred during an altercation behind the Burger King at 2901 West Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
Kimberly Shawn, the wife of 51-year-old homeless man who was burned in the brutal attack, said Stouffer was trying to settle an argument when he was burned. Gibbons left the scene.
Shortly after, police began their search for Gibbons but still have not been able to locate him.
"I'm angry," Shawn said. "I'm very angry."
Police said Stouffer had to be airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital after suffering serious burns to his body and is in critical condition.
Check out Crime Stopper's reward flyerShawn told CBS4′s Joan Murray that after her husband got into the altercation with Gibbons he invited Gibbons over to patch things up. That's when she said Gibbons doused her husband with gasoline and set him on fire.
"And then he comes walking back and all of a sudden there's a burst of flames," Shawn said. "Derek and I immediately got up out of our seats and went to get Bill and grabbed him and smothered the flames off of him. We didn't see nobody."
Shawn said her and her husband knew and respected Gibbons.
Anyone with information about the location of Gibbons is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS, and may be rewarded with $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.
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