New York City authorities have charged 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta with murder and arson following a horrifying incident in which he allegedly set a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watched as she was engulfed in flames.
The tragic event occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.
Incident Details
Surveillance footage reveals the suspect approaching the victim, who was seated motionless and may have been asleep, inside the subway car. Without warning, Zapeta set her clothing on fire. According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the woman within seconds.
As the victim struggled amid the inferno, Zapeta exited the train and sat calmly on a bench on the subway platform, observing the scene. Witnesses, including police officers and a transit worker, rushed to extinguish the flames, but the victim succumbed to her injuries shortly afterward.
Suspect’s Background
Police identified Zapeta as a Guatemalan citizen who had previously been deported from the United States in 2018. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman Jeff Carter, Zapeta re-entered the country illegally after his removal.
Zapeta was apprehended hours after the woman’s death. Authorities have not disclosed a potential motive for the attack, and it remains unclear if the suspect and the victim knew each other.
Official Statements
Commissioner Tisch expressed her horror at the brutality of the crime, describing the attack as “utterly senseless and barbaric.” Law enforcement officials are working to identify the victim, who remains unnamed as of Monday.
“This was a devastating act of violence,” Tisch said. “We are committed to seeking justice for the victim and ensuring the suspect is held accountable for his heinous actions.”
Community Outrage
The incident has sparked outrage across the city, with many calling for stricter security measures in the subway system. Advocates for public safety and immigration reform have also weighed in, debating the policies surrounding undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the attack, including how Zapeta acquired the means to ignite the fire.
This shocking event has reignited discussions about public safety on New York City’s subway system and the challenges of preventing random acts of violence in densely populated urban areas.