A wild video has emerged showing a driver stopping her car on a quiet street in South Sacramento and setting a homeless woman on fire before allegedly kicking her and fleeing in her vehicle. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jacqueline Popaibarra, got into an argument with the 49-year-old homeless victim who was setting up to sleep for the night at a homeless encampment. The shocking incident took place on April 26, as captured by disturbing surveillance footage.
The video shows Popaibarra pulling her car over next to the homeless encampment on the corner of the street. She then proceeded to throw a liquid, believed to be a fire accelerant, onto the victim before setting her on fire. Bystanders rushed to help put out the flames as Popaibarra callously kicked the severely burned woman. After the horrifying attack, she calmly walked back to her car and drove away, leaving the victim with burns covering one-third of her body, including her face, arms, torso, and back.
The victim, who was unable to speak or provide a statement to law enforcement due to being intubated in the hospital for several days, positively identified Popaibarra as her assailant. Popaibarra, who was already in custody on an unrelated robbery charge, now faces a $400,000 bail for the alleged attack. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
