NEW YORK — A man has been arrested and charged with the shocking crime of setting a woman ablaze in a subway train in New York City. He appeared in court for the first time this week, while authorities continue their efforts to identify the victim.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was arraigned on charges of murder and arson on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn. He has been ordered to remain in custody without entering a plea, and his lawyer opted not to provide any comments to the media. His next court date is scheduled for Friday.
Authorities allege that Zapeta, reportedly a Guatemalan national who entered the United States unlawfully, approached the woman aboard a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station on Sunday morning and ignited her clothing.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could commit against another.”
Here’s the latest information:
What do we know about the suspect?
Zapeta was taken into custody on Sunday, just hours after police released images of a suspect to the public.
Three high school students recognized Zapeta from the images and promptly called 911. He was located on a different subway train wearing the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots depicted in the images.
Jeff Carter, a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, mentioned that Zapeta had been deported to Guatemala in 2018 and had re-entered the U.S. illegally, although details surrounding his re-entry remain vague.
During his arraignment in Brooklyn, Zapeta was dressed in a white jumpsuit and did not utter a word.
During the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg stated that Zapeta ignited the woman’s clothing and then used a shirt to fan the flames.
Rottenberg also reported that during questioning, Zapeta claimed not to remember the incident due to alcohol consumption, yet he allegedly identified himself in video footage of the attack.
According to police, Zapeta’s Brooklyn address matches that of a service center affiliated with Samaritan Daytop Village, an organization that provides housing and substance abuse support. The organization has not commented on the situation.
What do we know about the victim?
As of Thursday, the victim has not been publicly named, with the NYPD confirming that she is only referred to as a woman.
Commissioner Tisch noted during a press conference that the victim was “in a seated position” at the rear of the train car when the attack took place. Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta added that the suspect and the victim appeared to have had no prior interactions.
What kind of police presence is there on the subway?
Although police actively patrol the subway system and an extensive array of surveillance cameras are installed in both stations and subway cars, the scale of the network—comprising 472 stations and millions of daily riders—poses significant challenges for comprehensive policing.
On the day of the incident, officers were present at the station but were patrolling a different platform. They responded to the situation after noticing smoke and hearing disturbances.
Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul instructed members of the state’s National Guard to assist with random bag checks at select subway stations to bolster safety measures.
Is crime up on the subways?
Reports of violent incidents within the subway system often increase anxiety among commuters, particularly as many New Yorkers depend on the trains daily and have faced unsettling experiences themselves.
However, overall crime in the city’s transit system has decreased this year compared to the same period in 2022. Data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reveals a 6% drop in major felonies from January to November this year compared to last year.
Nevertheless, the number of murders in the transit system has risen, with nine killings reported this year through November, compared to five during the same period last year.
High-profile incidents frequently attract national attention, further disturbing passengers. Recently, Daniel Penny, a military veteran, was acquitted of homicide charges after placing an agitated subway rider in a chokehold.
“Such events overshadow the progress made and affect New Yorkers’ perception of safety,” remarked New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a recent interview, noting that many high-profile incidents in the transit system involve individuals with mental health issues.
