A group of people who know a homeless woman fighting for her life returned to the bench where she was lit on fire for a candlelight vigil Thursday evening.
The Los Angeles Police Department has yet to identify the victim who was set on fire by a man who first doused her with a flammable liquid early Thursday at Van Nuys Boulevard and Sherman Way, but area residents have come to know her as Violet, a quiet woman in her 60s who was always bundled in jackets and mostly kept to herself.
She remains in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Pat Devin, who lives in the neighborhood, attended the vigil and said she often spoke with Violet.
"She did not deserve to have this happen to her, a sweet gentle woman who always said 'God bless you,'" Devin said.
Candles were lit by other people who knew Violet as well a group of sober living home residents. At least one of them urged Violet to move into a shared home to get off the streets, but she refused.
Carmen Risiglione, who supervises some sober living homes in the area, said Violet once resided at such facilities but was currently living on the streets.
Check out the accompanying video to view more coverage of the candlelight vigil.
The man suspected of lighting Violet on fire, 24-year-old Dennis Petillo, was arrested shortly after the attack.
He allegedly doused the victim with flammable liquid and set her on fire, according to an eyewitness.
