Food Cart Worker Wanted for Setting Times Square Club Promoter on Fire has Fled to Egypt

Victim Mark Whyte, 45

Police have identified a food cart vendor as the suspect in the attack that left a club promoter severely burned in Times Square. However, the suspect has fled to Egypt, according to law enforcement sources.

Investigators determined that the suspect had been working at a food cart near the Nebula nightclub on West 41st Street and Broadway at the time of the incident, which occurred around 4 a.m. on Sunday. The suspect is reportedly the nephew of the cart’s owner.

The victim, 45-year-old Mark Whyte, remains in critical but stable condition after being doused with gasoline and set on fire following an argument with the attacker.

According to police sources, the 23-year-old suspect left for Egypt on the day of the attack. Authorities have not yet released his name.

Victim Mark Whyte, with burns all over his face and upper body

A woman associated with the food cart business stated that Whyte was a regular customer who had a previous altercation with the suspect. She claimed the victim had angered the suspect, leading to a physical confrontation last year. As the argument escalated on Sunday, the attacker allegedly grabbed a gasoline canister from the cart, poured it on Whyte, and set him ablaze.

Emergency responders transported Whyte to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell for treatment of third-degree burns covering his face, chest, torso, neck, and back. Video footage from the scene showed Whyte standing shirtless on the street, visibly dazed as police and medical personnel attended to him.

The severely burned victim was escorted to an ambulance at the scene.

Friends described Whyte as a well-known party promoter who organizes celebrity events. One associate expressed shock and outrage over the attack, calling it "absolutely horrific" and "disgusting."

Authorities believe Whyte and the suspect had prior interactions, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement officials explore options for potential legal action against the suspect despite his departure from the country.