2 accused of lighting man on fire at Olympia encampment, killing him

In a deeply disturbing incident in Olympia, Washington, two men, Christopher Snyder and Kevin Hinzpeter, have been charged with multiple felonies after allegedly setting a homeless man, Zebediah Schoening, on fire. Snyder, 31, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and several other serious charges, while Hinzpeter faces charges of first-degree attempted murder and assault. The attack occurred on October 8, 2024, at an encampment known as 'The Jungle,' where witnesses reported that Schoening was engulfed in flames and covered in a dangerous substance described as 'homemade napalm. ' Eyewitness accounts detail the harrowing moment when Schoening screamed for help, and he later informed police that Hinzpeter threw gasoline on him. Tragically, Schoening succumbed to his injuries on October 25, just weeks after the attack.

Evidence collected from the scene included a burnt shirt, blood, and a plastic bottle with a gasoline odor, further implicating the suspects. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for November 20, as the legal proceedings continue. This case underscores the severe issues surrounding homelessness and violent crime in the area.