A violent attack near the busy transit hub of New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan has raised concerns about the safety of homeless people sleeping in public spaces after a man was deliberately set on fire.

On Tuesday, police searched for two men suspected of involvement in setting a 37-year-old man, believed to be homeless, on fire on Monday evening while he was asleep. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) earlier reported seeing three men approaching the homeless man and igniting his clothing. The individuals fled towards the Amtrak train station, perAssociated Press.

The New York City Police Department investigators said that the attack occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Monday, 2 March 2026, near the corner of West 31st Street and Eighth Avenue.

Reports say the homeless man was sleeping on the sidewalk when three men approached him and set him ablaze before fleeing towards the nearby station.

​Police said emergency crews doused the flames and brought the man to Weill Cornell Medical Center where he was declared in stable condition, with no life-threatening burns, perThe New York Post. No arrests were made on the scene during the investigation.

By Wednesday morning, authorities said two of the three suspects were apprehended by the NYPD after surveillance footage was reviewed.​

According to the police, Damon Johnson from Brooklyn, who had prior arrests racking up to a total of 88, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with assault, attempted murder, and reckless endangerment, per anNYPreport. He was allegedly seen on the surveillance footage near the victim just moments before the attack happened.

🚨🚨BREAKING UPDATES 🚨🇺🇸 Timing from Hell: Homeless Man Set Ablaze at Penn Station While Hochul Celebrates Transit ‘Victory’A 37-year-old homeless man was set on fire while sleeping in Penn Station's Amtrak area Monday night, suffering second-degree burns to his arm and…pic.twitter.com/SpPdQi0eEq

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Cal Mullan said Johnson was 'crouching' beside the victim before leaving. 'Moments later, the victim begins wailing ... and scrambling to his feet with his jacket on fire. The fire was put out by bystanders and responding police officers,' Mullan said. The prosecutor also said Johnson was arrested in the same jacket he was wearing in the video and had two lighters on him.​

Another suspect, a 33-year-old man from Queens named Lyla Najjar, was arrested on Wednesday morning. He is facing an assault charge, according to the same report. Authorities say a third individual may be involved.​

Source: International Business Times UK