A man is facing serious charges after allegedly committing one of the most disturbing acts of violence seen in the New York City subway system. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder and arson for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside the F train and watching as flames engulfed her body on Sunday morning, according to police.
The incident took place at around 7:30 AM at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station. Zapeta, identified as a Guatemalan national who had previously been deported from the U.S. in 2018, reportedly approached the woman, who appeared to be asleep or motionless, and set her clothing ablaze using what authorities believe was a lighter. Witnesses reported seeing her clothing ignite within seconds, leading to flames enveloping her.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the horrific act as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being." After setting the woman on fire, the suspect remained on the scene and allegedly watched from a bench as both officers and transit workers rushed to extinguish the flames.
Unfortunately, the woman, whose identity is still under wraps, was pronounced dead at the scene. The police said there was no prior interaction between her and Zapeta, and the assault appears to have been random.
Zapeta was taken swiftly under custody later the same day aboard the subway. Officers had circulated photographs of him from surveillance footage shortly after the attack, thanks to the extensive camera system now installed across the subway network. High school students traveling on the same subway line spotted him and informed authorities, leading to his apprehension at the 34th Street-Herald Square station.
Eyewitness footage taken during his arrest shows several NYPD officers converging on the crowded subway car to apprehend Zapeta, who was dressed as he had been during the attack. He had also been found with another lighter when arrested.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez remarked on the heinous nature of the crime stating, "The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice.” He vowed to hold the suspect accountable for what he described as "this gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman."
Pending the criminal proceedings, immigration authorities are preparing to place Zapeta under detainer. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed he entered the United States illegally sometime after his deportation, and officials are currently investigating the timeline of his reentry.
This tragic incident has sparked renewed debates about safety within the subway system, which has experienced heightened scrutiny following various violent crimes over the past year. New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently bolstered security measures by deploying National Guard members across the transit system to assist police amid public concerns over safety. These initiatives have included random bag checks and the installation of video cameras inside subway cars—a move credited with aiding the quick identification and capture of Zapeta.
Despite these efforts, many New Yorkers are still shaken by the events. The subway attack is the latest example highlighting the fears surrounding transit crime, especially as the city gears up for holiday travel, when crowding typically increases. It remains to be seen whether more drastic measures will be employed to address the recurring incidents of violence.
Reports also cite troubling trends: earlier on the same morning of the arson incident, another person was killed and another injured on the 7 train, illustrating the perilous situation many face on public transportation. The growing incidence of these types of altercations has prompted calls for substantial safety reforms from both citizens and policymaking officials.
With investigations still underway and the community mourning the loss of yet another life to senseless violence, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez affirmed his commitment to ensuring safety and accountability within the city. He and other municipal leaders maintained, "Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe on our subways, and we will do everything in our power to guarantee justice for the victim and her family." This incident not only emphasizes the tragic intersection of homelessness and violence but also raises urgent questions about the responsibilities of local authorities and the challenges inherent to policing such vast networks as those present within New York City.
