Man Arrested in Connection with Deadly Subway Fire Incident in Brooklyn

New York City police have arrested a man believed to be responsible for the tragic death of a woman who was set on fire aboard a stationary subway train early Sunday morning in Brooklyn.

The incident occurred aboard an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station, the last stop on the line, where police responded to reports of a disturbance. Surveillance footage shows that the victim and the suspect were both aboard the train as it neared the station. Authorities believe the woman may have been sleeping when the suspect approached her and used what is suspected to be a lighter to set her clothing on fire. The flames quickly engulfed her.

The fire was discovered by officers on routine patrol at the station, who noticed smoke and commotion on the platform. Upon investigation, they found the woman standing in the subway car, and emergency medical personnel declared her dead after the flames were extinguished.

At a press conference, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that detailed images of the suspect from the scene helped authorities track him down. The suspect was apprehended after three high school students recognized him and reported his whereabouts. Cellphone footage, shared on social media by a shocked onlooker, showed a man in a gray hoodie sitting on a bench just outside the train, close to the victim.

"The suspect had remained on the scene and was seated on a bench on the platform, unbeknownst to the responding officers," Tisch said. "Body-worn cameras provided a clear look at the suspect."

Police did not release the identity of the suspect or the victim, who remains unidentified. Authorities also noted that they do not believe the two were previously acquainted.

The incident marks another tragedy in New York's subway system, which has seen a surge in violent incidents. In response to growing concerns, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed additional National Guard members to assist with random searches and patrols, particularly during the busy holiday season.

As of November 2024, there have been nine homicides reported on the subway, compared to five in the same period the previous year, according to police data. This incident adds to a string of high-profile subway crimes that have intensified safety concerns in the city’s transit system.