Police have charged a 24-year-old Hilo man with first-degree assault for allegedly setting another man on fire.
According to a written statement, the suspect, Dalston Cortez, arrived at about 1:30 p.m. Friday at an Akolea Road home in Hilo while the victim was visiting a mutual acquaintance.
Cortez reportedly then threw a flammable liquid on the victim before setting him afire. The suspect and victim know each other and the incident is suspected to have been related to a previous disagreement between the two men.
The victim, a 30-year-old Hilo man, was taken by private vehicle to Hilo Medical Center, then flown to Oahu Friday afternoon for further treatment.
He remains in fair condition at the Straub Medical Center with second and third-degree burns on his lower torso and upper legs.
Cortez turned himself in Saturday evening at Pahoa police station and he was charged today.
His bail has been set at $10,000 and he is scheduled to make his initial appearance Tuesday afternoon in Hilo District Court.
Potential witnesses or anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.