Transient injured in San Diego dies, becoming third fatality in series of attacks
Reporting from San Diego — One of the men critically injured in a series of attacks that targeted four transients last week has died, San Diego police said Sunday.
Dionicio Derek Vahidy, 23, was found critically injured early Wednesday near condominium complexes between State Street and Kettner Boulevard, south of Broadway in downtown San Diego.
Investigators said Vahidy had suffered extensive damage to his upper body before a towel covering his head was set on fire.
Witnesses awakened by a steady banging noise saw a man spray Vahidy with some sort of accelerant and ignite him before running off. A Good Samaritan threw the towel aside before Vahidy was burned.
The victim died from his injuries before 1 p.m. Sunday.
Police believe Vahidy is one of four victims attacked by Anthony Padgett, who was arrested Thursday in the violent attacks that began July 3. Three of the four men have died. The fourth victim is in critical condition, but is expected to survive.
Winkley writes for the San Diego Union Tribune. Follow @lanow for breaking news.
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