Serial Scalder Charged with Burning Spree

Man Charged with Throwing Scalding Liquid at 4 People within an Hour

Prosecutors charged a man in the burning liquid attack on four people in less than two hours. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein

Manhattan Voice

March 28, 2024

MANHATTAN - A Brooklyn man has been charged in a serial scalding spree in which four people were attacked with hot water in one day, prosecutors said. 

Larry Martin, 42, was charged in four cases of scalding victims on the same day earlier this month. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office charged Martin with four counts of first-degree attempt to commit assault and four counts of second-degree assault. Both counts are felonies. 

“Larry Martin allegedly committed violent attacks against four randomly selected individuals walking in Midtown within the span of less than two hours,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “My thoughts are with the victims as they heal from their extensive injuries. Nobody should fear for their safety while walking in Manhattan.” 

Prosecutors say Martin attacked four people in under an hour and a half on March 6. 

The first attack occurred near West 56th Street and Sixth Avenue. The suspect has been accused of lunging at a man during an unprovoked attack. As he jumped toward the man, the attacker poured burning liquid down the back of the man’s head - scalding the victim’s neck. 

Prosecutors said Martin then threw a cup of scalding liquid in the face of a 49-year-old woman near West 56th Street. Authorities said the victim suffered burns and hearing loss. 

At around 8:15 am, prosecutors alleged Martin threw scalding hot liquid onto the right side of a 45-year-old woman’s face, burning her. 

Thirty minutes later the attacker struck again. Prosecutors charge that Martin threw a cup of scalding liquid at a 27-year-old woman striking her in the chest and burning her hand. 

Originally only the final attack was reported. The fact of other victims on the same was not known when police began searching for the serial attacker based on surveillance video. 

In court Martin pleaded not guilty and was remanded without bail.