Authorities are reeling from the shocking violence perpetrated on Sunday morning at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station, where Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was charged with committing a horrific act of arson and murder. Allegedly, he set fire to the clothing of a woman believed to be sleeping on the F train, leading to her tragic death. This unthinkable crime has prompted strong reactions and calls for justice from city officials.
According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, "The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice." The victim, whose identity has not yet been revealed, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, with the medical examiner citing smoke inhalation and thermal injuries as the cause of death.
Police reports indicate the incident took place around 7:30 a.m. The train had stopped at the end of the line when Zapeta allegedly approached the woman, lit her clothing on fire with a lighter, and then allegedly used his shirt to fan the flames. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage thoroughly document the atrocity, showing the victim engulfed in flames moments after Zapeta's actions.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being." She recounted how officers, who were patrolling nearby, responded to smoke emanated from the train and found the woman engulfed in flames.
While officers were occupied trying to put out the flames—assisted by an MTA employee with a fire extinguisher—Zapeta remained at the scene, initially unnoticed, seated calmly on a nearby bench. Police were able to apprehend him later the same day, thanks to the quick thinking of three high school students who recognized him from images disseminated across social media and public announcements. Tisch noted, "New Yorkers came through again," emphasizing the exceptional role of the public's involvement in police work.
Zapeta's background complicates the narrative surrounding the events. He is identified as an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who had previously crossed the U.S.-Mexico border but was deported under the Trump administration. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), he reentered the country unlawfully at some unknown time and location. Marie Ferguson, spokesperson for ICE, confirmed, "Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, is an unlawfully present Guatemalan citizen who entered the United States without admission by an immigration official." This has reignited discussions about immigration policy and public safety.
During his initial court appearance on Tuesday, Zapeta faced multiple charges, including two counts of murder and one count of arson. He sat silently, wearing a white jumpsuit over a black hoodie, as Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg detailed the circumstances of the crime. He revealed chilling specifics, including how Zapeta had intensified the flames with his shirt. Despite his chilling actions, after being interrogated, Zapeta reportedly claimed he could not recall the events, attributing it to his alcohol consumption.
Zapeta entered the courtroom with the charges weighing heavily upon him; he has been ordered to remain jailed until his next court date. The gravity of the situation is compounded by the fact these crimes carry the potential for life sentences if found guilty of murder. A public defender for Zapeta did not provide immediate comments on the case.
This tragedy strikes amid heightened concerns over subway safety. Just days prior, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had deployed additional National Guard troops to help patrol the subway system, intending to deter crime amid rampant discussions about the safety of riders. Coincidentally, shortly after this horrifying event, Hochul touted declining crime rates through her policies, making the backlash to this incident even more poignant.
While the city grapples with this act of violence, the community is left to reflect on the nature of safety on public transport, with local leaders and citizens demanding concrete actions to prevent such events from occurring again. The haunting question lingers: how did our society allow such brutality to manifest? Police continue their investigation as they confront the repercussions of this unthinkable crime.
