A 33-year-old man, Sebastian Zapeta, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson for allegedly setting a sleeping woman on fire on a New York City subway. The incident occurred Sunday morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. on an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn.
Police say Zapeta used a lighter to ignite the woman’s clothing, engulfing her in flames within seconds. Responding officers, alerted by the smell of smoke, found the woman ablaze inside the subway car. Despite using a fire extinguisher with the help of a transit worker, she died at the scene. Remarkably, body camera footage and subway security cameras showed Zapeta remaining at the scene, seated on a platform bench after the attack.
Three teenagers recognized Zapeta from NYPD-released photos and contacted 911, leading to his arrest a few hours later at the 34th Street-Herald Square station. He was wearing the same clothes as seen in the footage and had a lighter in his possession. Police say Zapeta lives in an East New York men’s shelter, which has not yet commented on the situation.
Immigration officials confirmed Zapeta is an unlawfully present Guatemalan citizen who illegally re-entered the U.S. after being deported in 2018. Investigators state there was no prior interaction between Zapeta and the victim, who remains unidentified. ICE officials plan to issue an immigration detainer against Zapeta.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez issued a statement condemning the act and vowing to pursue the most serious consequences. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers on the subway system.