A man is facing murder and arson charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday.
The suspect, identified by police as Sebastian Zapeta, was takeninto custody hours after the woman died on Sunday morning. Zapeta, 33, is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after he had been previously removed in 2018, said Jeff Carter, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Surveillance video showed the suspect approach the woman, who was sitting motionless and may have been sleeping, on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn and set her clothing on fire, police said. The woman’s clothing "became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds," said Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissioner, as the suspect remained at the scene, watching her burn from a bench on the subway platform as police and a transit worker extinguished the flames. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet released her identity.
Tisch called the incident "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being." Police arrested Zapeta later Sunday, riding the same subway line, after getting a tip from a group of high school students who recognized images of the suspect circulating via police alerts. It remains unclear when and where Zapeta reentered the U.S. after his removal about six years ago.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, "The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice." He added, "This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences." It remains unclear if Zapeta has legal representation or when he would be arraigned.
A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a service center for Samaritan Daytop Village, which provides housing and substance abuse support. The organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has taken measures to bolster security within the subway system, deploying National Guard members to assist police with random searches of riders’ bags for weapons following various high-profile crimes on city trains. Hochul recently authorized the deployment of additional members to help patrol during the busy holiday season.
Approximately a year ago, Hochul expressed support for funding to install video cameras on every train car throughout the New York subway system. Michael Kemper, chief security officer for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, noted the cameras played a pivotal role in rapidly tracking down the suspect.
This incident has once again raised concerns over crime and safety within the subway system. The harrowing nature of the crime and the chilling details surrounding the suspect evoke feelings of vulnerability among commuters. The public now anxiously awaits the next steps from law enforcement as the investigation continues, wondering about the identity of the victim and what justice will mean for both her family and the community.
