Sebastian Zapeta has been charged with murder and arson in connection with the brutal killing of a woman on a New York City subway. The incident, which was described by police as one of the most depraved crimes, involved the suspect igniting the victim, who may have been asleep.
Suspect Indicted for Murder and Arson in Gruesome NYC Subway Incident
Suspect Indicted for Murder and Arson in Gruesome NYC Subway Incident
33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta faces serious charges following the tragic death of a woman in a subway fire he allegedly set.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, is facing formal charges of murder and arson following a horrifying incident on a New York City subway train where a woman was allegedly set on fire. During a brief court hearing on Friday, Mr. Zapeta did not appear, but he has been held in custody without bail since his arrest shortly after the incident.
According to prosecutors, the tragic event occurred on Sunday morning at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station in Brooklyn. Reports indicate that the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed due to severe burns, was seated on a stationary train when Mr. Zapeta approached her and used a lighter to ignite her clothing. Authorities have confirmed that there was no prior interaction between the two individuals, and they are believed to have been strangers.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch characterized the crime as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being." Following the fire, officers quickly extinguished the flames, but sadly, the woman succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Eyewitnesses and police body camera footage helped apprehend Mr. Zapeta shortly after the incident when three high school students identified him from disseminated images.
Mr. Zapeta's troubling history includes a 2018 deportation from the U.S., after which he illegally re-entered the country. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutor Ari Rottenberg revealed that Mr. Zapeta claimed he had been drinking and didn’t recall the incident, yet he did recognize himself in the surveillance footage.
In response to the shocking nature of this case, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for additional federal charges of arson against Mr. Zapeta, echoing the sentiment that such acts of violence against another human being are intolerable. A vigil was recently held for the unnamed victim, whose identity authorities are still working to ascertain through fingerprint and DNA analysis. Mr. Zapeta is scheduled to return to court on January 7, as the investigation continues.
