The tragic incident has incited outrage in New York City as Sebastian Zapeta, 33, has been indicted on murder and arson charges following an attack on a woman who was allegedly set ablaze on a subway train.
Arrest Made in Shocking NYC Subway Attack: Murder and Arson Charges Filed
Arrest Made in Shocking NYC Subway Attack: Murder and Arson Charges Filed
Sebastian Zapeta faces serious charges in connection with a horrific subway fire that took the life of an unidentified woman.
A 33-year-old man, Sebastian Zapeta, has been indicted on charges of murder and arson after a shocking incident in the New York City subway that resulted in the tragic death of an unidentified woman. The incident occurred Sunday morning at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station in Brooklyn, where witnesses reported that the victim was sitting on a stationary train when Zapeta allegedly approached her and set her clothing on fire with a lighter.
According to local authorities, the victim may have been asleep at the time of the attack, and there was no prior interaction between her and Zapeta. Tragically, despite officers quickly extinguishing the flames, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting a police investigation that led to Zapeta's arrest shortly thereafter.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the act as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being." She further revealed that while the attacker initially remained at the scene, he later sat on a bench outside the train car, appearing calm as chaos unfolded nearby.
Police were able to identify Zapeta through body camera footage and images distributed to the public, leading to his identification by three high school students. Officials disclosed that Zapeta, originally from Guatemala, entered the United States illegally after being deported in 2018, raising questions surrounding his immigration status.
During a preliminary hearing, Zapeta claimed he had consumed alcohol prior to the incident and could not recall the attack, yet he recognized himself in footage documenting the horrifying event. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has publicly called for federal charges of arson to be added to the current state charges faced by Zapeta.
In the wake of this tragedy, a vigil has been organized to honor the victim, whose identity has proven difficult to ascertain due to the severity of her injuries. Authorities are utilizing fingerprints and DNA to confirm her identity amid the circulation of false and misleading information online. As of now, Zapeta is scheduled to return to court on January 7.
