Sebastian Zapeta Faces Murder and Arson Charges in Brooklyn Subway Incident
A 33-year-old man, Sebastian Zapeta, has been formally charged with murder and arson following a horrifying attack on a New York City subway train. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Zapeta set a woman on fire while she was seated on a stationary train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station in Brooklyn.
Incident Details
The attack occurred Sunday morning when Mr. Zapeta allegedly ignited the victim’s clothing with a lighter and fanned the flames using a shirt. Police officers at the scene extinguished the fire, but the woman tragically died. Authorities are still working to identify her due to the extent of her injuries.
The suspect remained near the scene, his actions captured on police body cameras. Authorities report he later left the area but was recognized by three high school students from images distributed by the police.
Legal Proceedings
Mr. Zapeta, originally from Guatemala and previously deported in 2018, was arrested shortly after the incident. He is being held without bail. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors revealed Mr. Zapeta admitted to recognizing himself in surveillance footage, though he claimed to have no memory of the incident due to intoxication.
Mayor Eric Adams has called for federal arson charges in addition to state charges, condemning the crime as a reflection of “a level of evil that cannot be tolerated.”
Community Response
The attack has shocked New Yorkers, with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch describing it as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit.” A vigil for the victim was held Thursday evening, as misinformation about her identity, including a fake AI-generated photo, circulated online.
Mr. Zapeta is scheduled to return to court on January 7.
Leave a Reply