Manhunt Continues for Niagara Falls Man Who Set Woman on Fire, Possibly Fled State

A Niagara Falls man was is on video setting a homeless woman on fire remains missing after skipping a scheduled court appearance. Some now believe he may have left New York.

Barinder Singh, 39, is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Niagara County Court Judge John Ottaviano after failing to appear for a court conference last week. The warrant could result in additional charges connected to his failure to appear.

Singh had been out on bail while facing a grand jury indictment for first-degree assault. Prosecutors say he deliberately set fire to a woman outside his food truck on August 4th, 2024, while it was parked in a Niagara Street lot between 7th and 8th streets. Singh had pleaded not guilty.

Previously, Judge Ottaviano ordered him held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bail. Singh had initially been released on his own recognizance after charges were filed in City Court.

Prosecutors from the Niagara County District Attorney's Office successfully argued for stricter bail, warning that Singh posed both a flight risk and a danger to the community. Singh later posted bail using proceeds from the sale of his food truck, which disappeared from its usual location days after his arraignment.

In April, prosecutors offered Singh a plea deal that would have reduced his potential prison sentence to less than the maximum. Instead, Singh fired his lawyer, turned down the offer, and allegedly told acquaintances he did not understand why he was facing charges.

His current attorney, Brian Parker of the Niagara County Public Defender’s Conflict Office, said Singh knew about the court date but failed to show. Singh has also stopped responding to phone calls or messages.

Authorities say a joint task force of local and federal law enforcement is actively searching for Singh. However, there is a concern that he may have already left New York State.

The charges stem from the August 2024 attack on 48-year-old Judith Lynn Lafler who suffered extensive third-degree burns to her head, arms, and torso. Police described the scene as horrific, with one officer recalling that it looked like her face was “melting off.”

Lafler was rushed to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo where she underwent treatment for life-threatening injuries.

Investigators determined the attack occurred after Singh accused Lafler of stealing from his food truck. He then doused her with a flammable liquid and ignited it, watching her burn in front of him.

Lafler survived the fire but was later found dead on January 21st inside an abandoned home on Cleveland Avenue. Officials said she likely froze to death in the unheated house where she had been staying with another homeless individual.

Singh faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of first-degree assault.

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED AT MISSED COURT DATE

A joint task force of federal and local law enforcement is actively searching for a Niagara Falls man accused of setting a homeless woman on fire after he failed to appear in court last week.

Authorities confirmed that Barinder Singh, 39, is now the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Niagara County Court Judge John Ottaviano following his absence from a scheduled court conference on Friday. The warrant could bring additional charges tied to his failure to appear.

Singh had been released on bail while facing a grand jury indictment for first-degree assault. Prosecutors allege he intentionally set a woman on fire outside his food truck on August 4th, 2024, while it was parked in a Niagara Street parking lot between 7th and 8th streets.

Singh pleaded not guilty.

Previously, Judge Ottaviano ordered Singh held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bail. He had originally been free on his own recognizance after being charged in City Court. Prosecutors pushed for stricter bail, arguing Singh posed both a flight risk and a danger to the public. Singh ultimately posted cash bail using proceeds from the sale of his food truck, which vanished from its usual spot just days after his arraignment.

In April, prosecutors gave Singh “two weeks” to consider a plea agreement that would have allowed him to admit guilt in exchange for a sentence “less than the maximum possible prison sentence.”

Under New York law, first-degree assault carries a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25 years in prison. Instead, Singh dismissed his lawyer, declined the offer, and reportedly told acquaintances he did not understand why charges were brought against him.

His new attorney, Brian Parker of the Niagara County Public Defender’s Conflict Office, told Judge Ottaviano that Singh knew about Friday’s conference but failed to show up. Parker also said Singh has recently stopped answering calls or returning messages.

The charges stemmed from an attack on Judith Lynn Lafler, 48, who suffered life-threatening burns during the August 2024 incident. Police officers responded to reports of a “woman on fire outside a food truck” around 1:45am at a gas station parking lot on Niagara and 7th streets.

Responding officers described the scene as graphic, with one officer stating it looked like Lafler's face was melting off.

Lafler, who had severe burns on her head, arms, and torso, was treated at the scene by firefighters before being transported to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo where she was treated for third-degree burns across much of her body.

The confrontation began when Singh accused Lafler of stealing from his truck. According to sources, Singh then poured a flammable liquid on her and ignited it.

Months later, on January 21st, Lafler was found dead inside a dilapidated house at 1014 Cleveland Avenue, where she had been staying with another homeless individual. Authorities said she likely succumbed to the cold in the unheated property.

Original Story - Niagara Falls Man Who Set Woman on Fire Skips Court Date

A Niagara Falls man facing charges for setting a woman on fire at his food truck failed to appear for his scheduled court date on Friday morning.

Niagara County Judge John Ottaviano announced he would issue a bench warrant for Barinder Singh after the defendant did not show up for the 9:30am appearance. Singh is charged with two counts of first-degree assault in connection with an August 4th, 2024, incident outside his food truck on Niagara Street.

Brian Parker, Singh’s defense attorney, told the court he had spoken to his client after the last appearance but had not heard from him since early in the week.

“I don’t have an excuse as to why he’s not here,” Parker told the judge.

First Assistant District Attorney Doreen Hoffman requested the bench warrant, which Ottaviano granted. Niagara Falls police will attempt to locate Singh, District Attorney Brian Seaman said. The warrant will also be entered into a national database so other agencies could take him into custody.

According to investigators, Singh - who owned the food truck at the time - poured a flammable liquid on a 48-year-old woman and ignited it. The victim sustained severe third-degree burns and was initially listed in critical condition. She died in January 2025.

Singh’s trial is currently scheduled to begin September 22nd. In April, he told a judge he wanted to replace his attorney on the same day he faced a deadline to accept a plea offer for a prison term of 18 to 20 years.

Police records state that the victim identified Singh as her attacker to emergency personnel who arrived at the scene near Eighth and Niagara streets around 1:45am that night. Officers reported that Singh showed them cellphone footage of the victim lying burned on the ground, while he could be heard saying, “I’ll (expletive) kill you” and “Don’t (expletive) steal from me.”

No further information is available at this time.

Manhunt Continues for Niagara Falls Man Who Set Woman on Fire, Possibly Fled State