A man has been formally charged following the tragic subway killing of a woman who was set on fire in New York City, intensifying the community's calls for justice and safety in public transportation.
Charges Filed Against Suspect in Gruesome NYC Subway Incident
Charges Filed Against Suspect in Gruesome NYC Subway Incident
Sebastian Zapeta faces murder and arson charges in connection with a subway attack that left a woman dead.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was indicted for murder and arson as he remains held without bail since his arrest. Authorities say the incident occurred early Sunday morning at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station, where Zapeta allegedly approached a woman who may have been asleep and ignited her clothing with a lighter, fanning the flames with a shirt. The victim's identity has not yet been confirmed as efforts to identify her continue, with police working through challenging circumstances due to her injuries.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the act as one of "the most depraved crimes possible," adding that there was no prior interaction between Zapeta and the victim. After Zapeta set the woman ablaze, he was recorded by body cameras while sitting calmly outside the train car. He left the scene as officers responded to the fire.
Despite initially fleeing, three local high school students later recognized Zapeta's image from police media releases, leading to his arrest. Described by immigration authorities as a Guatemalan national who re-entered the country illegally after deportation in 2018, Zapeta told investigators he had consumed alcohol and couldn’t recall the violent act, though he confirmed his presence in surveillance footage.
Calls for federal charges have escalated, with NYC Mayor Eric Adams stating, "Lighting another human being on fire and watching them burn alive reflects a level of evil that cannot be tolerated." The vigilance of community members was also highlighted, as many gathered to honor the victim, whose image was unfortunately marred by misinformation circulating online.
Authorities continue to search for conclusive identification evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA, as Zapeta is set to appear in court again on January 7, 2024.
