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Man sets self on fire during arrest for fatal stabbing, Wyandotte police say

By and Nour Rahal
Published  March 25, 2024 7:58pm EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 2 Detroit

Wyandotte murder suspect sets himself on fire

The suspect led officers on a brief car chase, police said. He then stopped the vehicle, got out, brandished a knife, reentered the car, and intentionally set himself on fire inside it.

FOX 2 (WJBK) - A 59-year-old man is in custody after he fatally stabbed a woman and then set himself on fire during his arrest, police said.

Sung Ho Jin is accused of killing a 55-year-old woman at her apartment in the 2700 block of 10th Street in Wyandotte, according to a police release. He allegedly also stole her vehicle. 

On March 23, the victim's co-workers called the Wyandotte Police Department to report that she had not come into work for several days, police released. When officers showed up at the victim's apartment, they found her dead inside.

Friends of the victim say Jin was a friend of her late husband. They claim he was infatuated with her, but the two did not have a romantic relationship. 

Sung Ho Jin, 59, is accused of murdering a 55-year-old woman and fleeing to Ohio in her vehicle. As police were arresting him, the suspect set himself on fire inside the car.

The suspect, Jin, "was located in Akron, Ohio by the Akron Police Department" on Monday, according to the release. "He was still (driving) the victim’s vehicle."

Jin led officers on a brief car chase, police said. He then stopped the vehicle, got out, brandished a knife, reentered the car, and intentionally set himself on fire inside it.

While ablaze, the suspect jumped out of the vehicle again and the flames were extinguished. 

Sung Ho Jin, 59, is accused of murdering his 55-year-old girlfriend and fleeing to Ohio in her vehicle. As police were arresting him, the suspect set himself on fire inside the car.

Jin was taken to an Ohio hospital where he is in police custody. He is still in critical condition – being treated for second degree, and possible third degree, burns. 

"Wyandotte Police detectives are preparing the necessary reports and investigation material to forward to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office for review and issuing of charges," according to police. 

An investigation remains ongoing. 

Editor's note: A previous version of this story misstated the relationship between the victim and the suspect, based on what police said. The story has been updated with the accurate details.