Man Charged with Murder After Woman Set Ablaze in NYC Subway

New York City – In a horrific incident that has shocked the city, Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, has been charged with first and second-degree murder and arson following the death of an unidentified woman on a New York City subway. The incident occurred early Sunday morning, December 22, 2024, at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn.

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the woman was sitting motionless, possibly asleep, on a stationary F train when Zapeta approached her and used a lighter to set her clothing on fire. The woman’s clothes “became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds,” as described by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Despite the quick response from officers who used fire extinguishers to douse the flames, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zapeta, who had remained at the scene watching the woman burn from a bench on the platform, was later arrested on the same subway line after three high school students recognized him from images circulated by the police. He was found with a lighter in his pocket, matching the description from the incident.

This incident has reignited concerns about safety in New York City’s subway system, which has seen an increase in violent crimes this year. Despite efforts by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who deployed National Guard members for bag checks and supported the installation of cameras in subway cars, the city grapples with the trauma of such a brutal act.

Sebastian Zapeta, who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018, now faces serious charges. Immigration officials have indicated a detainer will be issued for him once formally charged, aiming to transfer him into federal custody post-criminal proceedings. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with police stating there was no known interaction between the suspect and the victim prior to the incident.

The case has also sparked a broader conversation about public safety, the treatment of the homeless who often seek refuge in the subway, and the effectiveness of current crime prevention measures in the city’s transit system.

As the investigation continues, the identity of the victim has not been released to the public. The NYPD urges anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the community’s role in ensuring justice and safety for all New Yorkers.