A 33-year-old man, Sebastian Zapeta, has been charged with first-degree murder and arson in the death of a woman who was set on fire on a New York City subway train. According to officials, Zapeta allegedly ignited the victim’s clothing while she was seated on the train, watching as she burned. A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identified Zapeta as an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who had previously been deported but re-entered the U.S. He was last known to reside in a homeless shelter in East New York, Brooklyn.
The incident occurred Sunday morning around 7:30 a.m. on an F train. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that surveillance video showed Zapeta calmly approaching the victim, who appeared to be asleep, and setting her on fire with what appeared to be a lighter. Police believe the two were strangers. Officers discovered the burning woman during a routine patrol at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. Remarkably, Zapeta remained at the scene, sitting on a nearby bench. Body camera footage provided a clear image of the suspect, leading to his identification and apprehension later that day on another subway train. He was found with a lighter in his possession.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office released a statement expressing outrage at the “horrific crime” and vowing to pursue justice. They emphasized the importance of ensuring public safety on the subway system. This incident marked the second fatality on the New York subway that Sunday; earlier, a 37-year-old man was fatally stabbed in a separate incident. In that case, a 69-year-old man who stabbed the two assailants was not charged, as he appears to have acted in self-defense.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiatives to enhance subway safety, including deploying National Guard members for increased patrols and funding for the installation of cameras on every train car, were cited as instrumental in the swift apprehension of Zapeta. The readily available video footage from the subway car proved crucial in identifying and locating the suspect. Police say Zapeta will be transferred to federal custody and face removal proceedings.