Man arrested for burning transient to death on Skid Row

LOS ANGELES -  A suspect was in custody Wednesday for allegedly burning to death a homeless man on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, authorities said.

Jonathan Early, 38, was arrested near the scene of the crime, which occurred near 6th and San Pedro streets about 11:30 p.m. Monday, said Officer Mike Lopez, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.

Early was booked on suspicion of murder, and was held on $2 million bail, Lopez said.

The victim, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, died from burn injuries.

It was not immediately clear what led to the attack or how the fire that led to the man's death was set. Police did not describe a motive in the case. The incident remains under investigation by the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division and the Los Angeles Fire Department's arson unit.

Responding officers observed the victim walking around on fire, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the attack. Officers at the scene extinguished the flames, but the victim died sometime Tuesday morning at an area hospital.