Homeless Man Critically Burned in El Paso Arson, Assault

Another unhoused man was arrested in the incident on North Ochoa Street.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:13pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred and twisted piece of metal, such as a door handle or window frame, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a suspected arson attack on a homeless encampment.The aftermath of a suspected arson attack on a homeless encampment exposes the harsh realities faced by unhoused individuals in El Paso.El Paso Today

A homeless man was hospitalized in critical condition at a burn center in Lubbock after he was allegedly assaulted and burned in a suspected arson case in Central El Paso. Police arrested David Garcia, 33, on an aggravated assault charge, as both Garcia and the victim, Salome J. Lares, 47, were identified as unhoused individuals.

Why it matters

Homelessness and violence against the unhoused population are ongoing issues in many cities, including El Paso. This incident highlights the vulnerability of those living on the streets and the need for greater support and resources to address these challenges.

The details

Firefighters responded to a structure fire on North Ochoa Street early Saturday morning and found Lares outside the building with severe burns and injuries consistent with an assault. The fire was extinguished, and Lares was transported to a regional burn center in Lubbock. Detectives later arrested Garcia, who was also identified as being 'general delivery', a term used to refer to unhoused individuals.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, March 28, 2026 around 3:44 a.m.
  • Lares was transported to the burn center in Lubbock on the same day.

The players

Salome J. Lares

A 47-year-old homeless man who was critically burned and assaulted in the incident.

David Garcia

A 33-year-old man who was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident. He was also identified as being 'general delivery', a term used to refer to unhoused individuals.

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What’s next

The Fire Marshals Office continues its investigation into the fire, and the judge will determine if Garcia will be granted bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the homeless population in El Paso and the need for greater support and resources to address issues of homelessness and violence in the community.