A deeply distressing case has unfolded in New York City, where prosecutors have charged a man with murder and arson following the tragic death of a woman on a subway train.
Man Arrested for Murder and Arson in Gruesome NYC Subway Attack
Man Arrested for Murder and Arson in Gruesome NYC Subway Attack
Sebastian Zapeta faces serious charges in connection with a shocking incident that left a woman dead on a subway train.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was indicted on these serious charges during a recent court hearing, though he did not attend. The suspect has been in custody since his arrest, without bail. He is accused of igniting the victim's clothes while she was perhaps sleeping on the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station train, then using a shirt to fan the flames.
The woman, whose identity remains unknown as authorities continue their investigation, was seated in a stationary train early on a Sunday morning. Witnesses reported that there was no prior interaction between Zapeta and the victim before the horrific attack. As police extinguished the flames, the victim succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Despite attempting to leave the scene after the incident, Zapeta was captured on police body cameras. Following police distribution of his images, three local high school students assisted in identifying him.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the act as “one of the most depraved crimes,” noting that the suspect had briefly remained at the platform before fleeing. It has been revealed that Zapeta is originally from Guatemala and previously deported from the U.S. in 2018; however, he later re-entered the country illegally.
During an initial hearing, Zapeta reportedly admitted to drinking but claimed to have no memory of the incident, while still recognizing himself in surveillance footage. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for federal authorities to also prosecute him for arson, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.
In a heartfelt response to the tragedy, a vigil was held to honor the unnamed victim, who suffered severe burns that have complicated identification efforts. Authorities are currently seeking to identify the victim through DNA and fingerprint analysis. Zapeta is scheduled to return to court on January 7 for further proceedings.
