Man Arrested for Murder and Arson After Allegedly Setting Woman on Fire in New York Subw

 

A man has been charged with murder and arson after allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a New York subway train on Sunday morning and watching her burn to death. Police identified the suspect as 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who had entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018. Zapeta was apprehended hours after the attack at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station.

The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when Zapeta allegedly threw a lighter at the woman, who appeared to be either asleep or motionless in the surveillance footage. Within seconds, her clothing became fully engulfed in flames. Despite efforts from police officers and a transit worker to put out the fire, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been released.

In an unsettling twist, Zapeta remained on the subway platform, watching the victim as she burned. He was later found seated on a bench just outside the train car, and body camera footage from responding officers provided crucial evidence that led to his arrest. Investigators also credited three high-school students who recognized the suspect and alerted the police.

Authorities recovered a lighter from Zapeta’s pocket during his arrest. While it is unclear if he has legal representation, Zapeta is expected to face arraignment soon.

The incident has prompted criticism of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who had recently touted efforts to improve subway safety. In a post on social media, Hochul claimed that crime in the subway system had decreased since the deployment of the National Guard and the addition of security cameras in subway cars. However, her comments were met with backlash, as many pointed out the murder on Sunday and another stabbing incident on a different subway line earlier that day.

Melissa DeRosa, former top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticized the governor for seemingly downplaying subway violence, pointing out that two people had been murdered in the subway system on the same day.

As of November, New York City reported nine homicides in the subway system in 2024, an increase from five in the same period in 2023. With both Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams facing re-election campaigns, subway safety and crime are likely to become central issues in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.