NEW YORK — Sebastian Zapeta, 33, a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, was arraigned Tuesday on murder charges for the burning death of a woman on a New York City subway train. The charges, which include two counts of murder and one count of arson, carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Zapeta, wearing a white jumpsuit, did not enter a plea and remains jailed. His lawyer did not request bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez described the attack as a “gruesome and senseless act of violence,” vowing the most serious consequences. Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg detailed how Zapeta allegedly used a lighter to set the woman’s clothing on fire, then fanned the flames with a shirt, engulfing her in fire. He then reportedly sat on a nearby bench and watched. According to Rottenberg, Zapeta told detectives he drinks heavily and doesn’t recall the events but identified himself in security footage. His lawyer, Andrew Friedman, declined to comment to reporters.
The attack occurred Sunday morning on an F train stopped at the Coney Island station. The victim’s identity remains pending. Video circulating on social media shows onlookers on the platform and at least one police officer walking by while the woman was ablaze. NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta explained that officers responded to the incident, with some securing the scene while others retrieved fire extinguishers and transit workers. Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that officers extinguished the fire, but the woman died at the scene.
Zapeta was apprehended Sunday afternoon on the same subway line after teenagers recognized him from police-released images. A Brooklyn address linked to him corresponds to a shelter offering housing and substance abuse support. Federal immigration officials confirmed Zapeta was deported in 2018 but reentered the U.S. illegally.
The incident has fueled concerns about subway safety, amplified by the graphic video’s widespread dissemination. While overall crime on the transit system is down compared to last year, murders are up. This event follows the recent acquittal of Daniel Penny in the chokehold death of a subway rider, further intensifying debates about safety, homelessness, and mental illness on the subway system. The vastness and complexity of the subway network pose significant challenges to policing efforts. Zapeta will return to court on Friday for grand jury action.