A court hearing is set for Friday for Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train and fanning the flames with a shirt as she tragically succumbed to the fire. The incident, described as a seemingly random attack, took place in the early hours of a Sunday morning on a train halted in Brooklyn.
Zapeta, a 33-year-old individual, faces charges of two counts of murder and one count of arson in connection to the appalling assault. He made his initial court appearance earlier this week, during which he did not enter a plea. As of now, his legal representative has not provided any comments in response to requests for a statement.
The victim has not been publicly identified by law enforcement authorities. Zapeta, reportedly identified as a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. unlawfully according to federal immigration officials, is currently detained at Rikers Island in the city.
According to prosecutors, Zapeta approached the woman—possibly asleep on the train at the Coney Island station stop—and ignited her clothing using a lighter. He proceeded to fan the flames with a shirt, ultimately engulfing the victim in fire, leading to her tragic demise. During the court session on Tuesday, prosecutor Ari Rottenberg detailed that Zapeta then seated himself on a platform bench and observed as the woman burned, ultimately being declared deceased at the scene.
Law enforcement officers took Zapeta into custody while he was aboard a train on the same line later that day. Rottenberg mentioned that Zapeta claimed to investigators that he was heavily intoxicated and unaware of the events that transpired. However, he did acknowledge his presence in photographs and surveillance footage depicting the fire’s ignition.
A Brooklyn address associated with Zapeta, disclosed by authorities following his apprehension, corresponds to a shelter offering accommodation and support services for substance abuse. Federal immigration officials disclosed that Zapeta had been deported in 2018 but reentered the U.S. illegally at a subsequent time.
The case has sparked outrage and concern within the community, drawing attention to the need for addressing mental health and substance abuse issues, as well as effective immigration enforcement measures. The tragic loss of life underscores the importance of ensuring public safety and holding individuals accountable for their actions within the legal framework.
