A woman was set on fire on the New York City subway early Sunday morning, leading to her death and prompting police to launch a murder investigation. The horrific incident occurred around 7:30 AM on December 22, 2024, at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station on the F train, where the victim was discovered engulfed in flames.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported at a press conference later on Sunday, "The suspect used what we believe to be a lighter to ignite the victim's clothing, which became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds." Authorities responded quickly after noticing smoke and commotion at the station, only to find the woman already gravely injured.
The female victim, who has yet to be identified, was declared dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. At the time, she was sitting on the train and, according to multiple sources, appeared to be asleep when the attack took place.
Eye-witness accounts described the scene's shock. One subway worker expressed disbelief, stating, "It’s incredible... It’s only three days until Christmas." Witnesses saw police helping to extinguish the fire, and the gruesome nature of the incident left commuters shaken.
Police later identified the suspect as Sebastin Zapeta, 33, a Guatemalan migrant who allegedly threw the lit match at the victim before fleeing the scene. Zapeta was later arrested after being recognized by three high school students riding the subway, who alerted authorities. Police apprehended him at the 34th Street station, where he was observed sitting on the bench, seemingly unconcerned.
Footage from police body cameras and surveillance cameras proved instrumental in the capture of the suspect, as he was seen watching the victim as she burned and later told by officers to clear the area. This behavior added to the horror of the day, according to those monitoring the situation.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has faced criticism over safety measures on public transport, noted the state's increasing concerns about subway violence, prompting her to deploy additional National Guard troops for added security. "The horrific attack has highlighted the need for constant vigilance," she stated, urging for swift justice for victims and pointing to the broader issue of public safety on the subway system.
Several eyewitnesses described the train station as chaotic following the incident. Alex Gureyev, a construction manager from Brooklyn, shared his thoughts on subway security. "Everybody keeps saying it's going back to the seventies... They’re really common nowadays," Gureyev said, reflecting on the concerning rise of violent incidents on public transport.
This incident marked not only the recent assault on the subway system but also highlighted systemic issues with security and crime prevention. With subway crimes reportedly dipping since Hochul's previous initiatives, concerns remain as city officials scramble to address the public's safety doubts.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences to the victim's family and condemned the act of violence. He stated, "This type of depraved behavior has no place in our subways, and we are committed to working hard to...ensure there is swift justice for all victims of violent crime." The attack, one of two fatalities on New York's subway system on the same day, has brought urgent calls for action to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Tragic incidents such as these have sparked outrage among subway commuters who fear for their safety. The collective trauma from violent crimes within the transit system looms heavily, making daily commutes increasingly fraught with anxiety. Authorities continue to gather evidence and search for more information concerning the suspect and the motive behind this brutal act.
New York City’s subway system, traversing millions of commuters daily, must now confront the reality of increasing violence, leaving many to wonder what steps will be taken to prevent such horrific crimes from ever taking place again.
