A Brooklyn grand jury has upgraded the charges against Sebastián Zapeta, 33, to first-degree murder following the horrific incident in which a woman was set on fire inside a New York City subway car. If convicted, Zapeta faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez expressed confidence in the evidence and the prosecution's ability to hold Zapeta accountable. "This was a malicious deed against a vulnerable, sleeping woman on our subway system. It was intentional, and we aim to prove it in court," Gonzalez said during a Friday hearing.
The victim, believed to be homeless, has yet to be identified. Authorities are relying on dental records or DNA analysis to determine her identity. The tragedy has highlighted broader concerns about the treatment and visibility of the city’s homeless population.
Dave Giffen, director of the Coalition for the Homeless, lamented the situation, stating, "It’s heartbreaking that we don’t even know who she was, and she can’t be properly mourned." Giffen also emphasized the need for greater empathy toward the homeless community, urging New Yorkers to remember their shared humanity.
The attack occurred early Sunday morning on a stationary F train in Brooklyn. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Zapeta setting the woman’s clothing on fire and fanning the flames with a shirt before sitting on a platform bench to watch. The victim died at the scene.
Questions have arisen about the actions of a police officer present during the incident, with critics questioning why immediate help wasn’t provided. However, NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta defended the officer, stating that they maintained the crime scene and facilitated emergency response efforts.
A vigil was held at the Stillwell Avenue station in Coney Island to honor the victim. Civil rights leader Rev. Kevin McCall called the incident a preventable tragedy and urged New Yorkers to intervene when witnessing acts of injustice.
Zapeta, identified as a Guatemalan national who illegally re-entered the U.S. after a 2018 deportation, was arrested at a Manhattan subway station. Authorities say he was found with a lighter matching the one used in the attack.
Brooklyn prosecutors allege Zapeta and the victim had no prior interaction and that his actions were unprovoked. The indictment, which will be unsealed on January 7, includes charges of first-degree murder and arson.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the crime “one of the most depraved acts one person could commit against another human being.”
As the case progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, compassion, and justice in protecting society's most vulnerable members.
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