A man facing murder charges in connection with the death of a woman who was set ablaze on a New York subway train was found to be in the United States unlawfully and had previously been deported, according to federal officials. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old citizen of Guatemala, was taken into custody by the New York Police Department on Sunday following the gruesome incident, as reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities.
Records indicate that Zapeta-Calil entered the U.S. through Sonoita, Arizona, on June 1, 2018, only to be promptly removed from the country and sent back to Guatemala just six days later on June 7, 2018, ICE confirmed. The specifics regarding his subsequent illegal reentry into the United States remain undisclosed by ICE at this time.
Residing in Brooklyn, Zapeta-Calil was formally charged on Monday with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree arson in connection with the tragic subway incident, according to the New York Police Department. As of Monday afternoon, it was unclear whether Zapeta-Calil had retained legal representation to address the charges against him.
Federal authorities have indicated their intention to request that Zapeta-Calil be transferred to ICE custody upon the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against him. This immigration detainer would potentially facilitate his deportation from the country.
In the early hours of Sunday at approximately 7:30 a.m., an unidentified woman was sleeping aboard a stationary F train at the Stillwell Avenue Subway Station when she was targeted by a man who ignited flames upon her using a lighter, according to law enforcement officials. Subsequent to the attack, the suspect exited the subway car and took a seat on a platform bench. Notably, a police officer’s body camera was able to capture clear footage of the suspect, which was then disseminated to the public through a wanted flier, as detailed by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Commissioner Tisch underscored that unbeknownst to the responding officers at the time, the suspect had remained within close proximity of the crime scene, seated on a bench near the train car. The body-worn cameras worn by the officers provided a detailed and distinct image of the alleged perpetrator.
In recounting the horrific event, Tisch described how the suspect calmly approached the victim and utilized a lighter to set her clothing ablaze. Tragically, the woman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime.
