Fla. teen set on fire; 3 juveniles in custody

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — A 15-year-old was badly burned after other teens doused him with a flammable liquid and set him on fire, and authorities were investigating whether he was attacked because he stopped someone from stealing his father’s bicycle a day earlier.

Michael Brewer was hospitalized with burns over three-quarters of his body after the attack at a Deerfield Beach apartment complex Monday afternoon. Three juveniles were in custody but their names and ages were not released.

Brewer’s brother-in-law, Danny Martinez, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that Brewer is in serious condition but doing OK.

Brewer was burned on his torso and arms, sheriff’s spokesman Jim Leljedal said. Family members said most of Brewer’s hair, including his eyelashes, had also been burned off.

He refused to attend classes at Deerfield Beach Middle School on Monday because of an incident Sunday when he stopped someone from stealing his father’s bicycle, Martinez said.

A juvenile was arrested Sunday, but authorities don’t know whether that arrest was connected to the attack, Leljedal said.

Instead of going to school, Brewer went to the apartment complex to visit a friend. He told deputies that while he was sitting by the swimming pool, he was splashed with a flammable liquid and set ablaze.

A neighbor heard his screams for help and put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, said Malissa Durkee, Brewer’s sister. The teen then ripped off his shirt and jumped into the pool.

Brewer is expected to remain hospitalized for five months, Martinez said.