A 33-year-old Guatemalan migrant has been arrested after allegedly setting a sleeping woman on fire on the F train, leading to her tragic and gruesome death. The horrifying incident occurred Sunday morning around 7:30 am at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station, shocking both commuters and authorities alike.
According to the New York Police Department, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil approached the victim, who was seated on the train, used what is believed to be a lighter to ignite her clothing, before callously watching her as flames engulfed her. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called this heinous act “one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit,” adding, “This crime took the life of an innocent New Yorker.”
The courageous NYPD officers patrolling the station responded quickly, noticing the smell of smoke and flames. They found the victim already engulfed and immediately extinguished the fire, but tragically, it was too late—she was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was captured on chilling video footage, showing Zapeta-Calil sitting nearby on the platform, seemingly indifferent to the horror he had just unleashed.
Zapeta-Calil, who was found with a lighter still on his person when arrested later, initially claimed to be intoxicated during the incident and could not recall what he had done. He faces serious charges of first-degree murder and arson, with authorities investigating his immigration status. It was reported he entered the U.S. illegally after being deported previously.
The attack has raised alarms about subway safety among New Yorkers, especially as it occurred just before Christmas. This heartless act has become particularly poignant against the backdrop of increasing subway violence; murders have risen by 60% this year compared to 2022. The public's fear for safety is palpable, with many commuters expressing growing concern over their daily travels.
One construction manager, Alex Gureyev, described the situation as “scary” and reflective of what he sees as declining safety standards on the subway, saying, “It’s going downhill... Everybody keeps saying it’s going back to the seventies.” Another commuter echoed this sentiment, alluding to recent concerns about crime and how incidents like this contribute to feelings of unease.
Despite Mayor Kathy Hochul’s deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops to the subway system, public safety remains at the forefront of conversations as violent incidents continue to plague New York City’s transit network. Even as overall crime rates may have decreased, the rise of murders has many commuters weary, adding urgency to the need for tangible solutions.
MTA workers reflected on the shocking loss of life, noting how tragic it was to witness something so brutal. “It just looked like all the clothes were burnt off,” one employee remarked, calling the events crazy, especially so close to the holiday season.
The incident has invoked discussions about bystanders' reactions during the attack. Activist Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, criticized onlookers who failed to intervene. He lamented, “Nobody came to her aid. They did nothing.” Many online voices have also decried bystanders for failing to act, emphasizing societal fears of potential repercussions for intervening during such violent scenarios.
State lawmakers are now pushing for answers about what led to such blatant violence occurring so brazenly in public transport. “We need to break down what happened, how it happened, and why it took so long to make an arrest,” said state Senator Leroy Comrie, who has called attention to the overarching issues of safety and mental health among the subway population.
With rising concerns about safety and growing crime statistics, this tragic subway arson has left many New Yorkers questioning the integrity of their public transport systems. The gruesome nature of the attack has reignited conversations about security, support for vulnerable communities, and necessary reforms to address the disturbing trends now prevalent on the subway.
