CHICAGO — A 64-year-old man is facing attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson charges after allegedly setting another man’s tent on fire while he was still inside it, according to CWB Chicago.
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday near the 4500 block of North Lake Shore Drive in the Uptown neighborhood, police said.
“I’ll set you on fire,” Suspect Allegedly Warned
The victim, a 56-year-old man who, like the suspect, is also homeless, told police he was asleep inside his tent when Steven Carter began kicking the outside and shouting, “Give me my stuff!”
Court records indicate that Carter then poured rubbing alcohol on the tent and splashed some directly on the victim’s face after the man asked what was going on. Carter allegedly shouted, “I’ll set this m**********r on fire and I’ll set you on fire” before lighting a match and throwing it at the tent, setting it ablaze with the man still inside.
Suspect Confessed at the Scene
When police arrived, Carter reportedly approached officers at the scene and admitted to pouring alcohol on the tent and igniting it using matches and a lighter. He also claimed that the victim had given him the rubbing alcohol a few days earlier.
Carter was arrested on the spot and matched the suspect description provided to responding officers.
Judge Orders Detention While Case Proceeds
During a bond hearing, Judge Ankur Srivastava approved the prosecution’s request to keep Carter detained without bail while the case moves forward. The victim’s current medical condition was not disclosed by authorities.
The Chicago Police Department and Area Three detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.
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