Homeless men set on fire by fellow homeless man in Seaside

Seaside Police have arrested a man who they say set fire to a homeless campsite and burned three men as well as himself at Laguna Grande Park.

On the morning of Friday March 13th, Seaside and Monterey firefighters and Seaside Police responded to calls for a fire at a campsite that was occupied by several homeless people who frequent the park.

Officers found three men with severe burns from the fire. Seaside Fire investigators later determined an accelerant was the most likely cause of the fire which engulfed a tent and the entire campsite.

Detectives took over the investigation a few days later and found out that Steven Mark Palmer, who is also homeless, used an accelerant, and then lit the victim on fire. A second victim who had been near the victim was also burned by the fire.

Palmer also received serious burns.

Palmer was arrested for two counts of attempted murder, two counts of arson causing great bodily injury, two counts of an assault with chemicals, and two counts of arson to an inhabited dwelling. His bail is set at 2,460,000.

If anyone has any information regarding this crime, other crimes or suspicious activity, please contact the Seaside Police Department.

Anonymous Tip-Line – (831) 899-6282
Seaside Police Department – (831) 899-6748