Man, 27, Charged With Attempted Murder In Molotov Cocktail Attack
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A 27-year-old man was charged Thursday with attempted murder, among other felonies, for allegedly setting a man on fire in Long Beach last week.
Jacob Lagarde, who was arrested Tuesday night at an apartment complex in Long Beach, was charged with one count each of attempted murder, explosion with intent to murder, explosion causing mayhem or great bodily injury, and three counts of arson.
Police said the suspect is a parolee with out-of-town gang affiliations and a long criminal record, which includes robbery, grand theft, and drug offenses.
The fire attack happened around 7 p.m. Friday at El Paisano Ranch Market on Pacific Coast Highway.
The 54-year-old victim was reportedly waiting for his elderly father, who was shopping inside the store, when Lagarde allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at him.
The victim has been recovering at a local burn center and is listed in critical, but stable, condition.
The motive for the crime remains unclear.
Lagarde is jailed on $1.2 million bail.
If convicted of attempted murder, he could face life in prison without parole.
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