Upstate NY man dies after being ‘intentionally’ set on fire; 2 teens charged with murder
Updated Mar 17, 2021;
Two teens have been charged with murder after an Upstate New York man was “intentionally” set on fire in his home.
WROC reports Steven Amenhauser, 53, died Tuesday after suffering second- and third-degree burns on more than 70% of his body Friday at his Rochester apartment. He was being treated at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Kessler Burn & Trauma Center when he succumbed to his injuries four days later.
Rochester Police say Zayvion Perry, 16, and Adriel Riley, Jr., 14, both from Rochester, doused the victim with a flammable liquid and set him on fire as he sat in his chair. They were initially charged with arson and assault in connection to the incident but after Amenhauser died, the Monroe County District Attorney’s office elevated the charges to second degree murder.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
A 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy were each charged with first-degree assault and attempted second-degree arson, both felonies, in connection with the attack, said Capt. Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department. The two teens names were not released due to their age.
The case is being handled by Monroe County Youth Court.
The teens are accused of lighting a man in his 50s on fire as the man was sitting on a chair inside his apartment on Friday, Umbrino said.
The man, whose name was not released, suffered severe second-and third-degree burns over 70% of his body. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he is in critical condition and is fighting for his life in the hospital s Burn Trauma Unit, Umbrino said.