A horrifying incident in Sacramento has left a homeless woman severely burned after a callous firebug set her on fire while she was sleeping on the street. The shocking security camera footage shows a car pulling over where the 49-year-old woman was resting on April 26. The driver, identified as Jacqueline Popaibarra, calmly gets out of the vehicle holding a canister and douses the sleeping woman with an unknown liquid, causing her to burst into flames.
The victim suffered severe burns to one-third of her body, including her face, torso, arms, and back, and had to be intubated at a local hospital for over two weeks. After making a partial recovery, she was finally able to speak to investigators and identify her attacker as Jacqueline Popaibarra, 34.
It was revealed that the victim and Popaibarra knew each other, although the motive behind the vicious attack remains unclear. Popaibarra, who is not homeless, even kicked the burning victim before fleeing the scene. She was already in custody on an unrelated robbery charge when she was identified as the suspect in the fire attack.
Popaibarra has since been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, arson causing great bodily injury, and mayhem. Her bail has been set at $450,000 as she awaits further legal proceedings.
This disturbing incident highlights the vulnerability of homeless individuals and the need for greater protection and support for those living on the streets. The victim’s road to recovery will be long and challenging, but hopefully, justice will be served for this heinous crime.
