In an arraignment on murder charges in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday, a prosecutor revealed that the man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames. Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old individual identified by federal immigration officials as a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, remained silent and did not enter a plea during the hearing. Clad in a white jumpsuit over a worn black hooded sweatshirt, Zapeta will be held at Rikers Island and is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday without bail requested by his lawyer.
Zapeta faces charges of murder and arson, with the top charge carrying a potential life sentence without parole. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez condemned the attack as a “gruesome and senseless act of violence,” vowing serious consequences. The incident occurred on a stopped F train at Coney Island station, where Zapeta allegedly approached the woman, set her clothing on fire with a lighter, and used a shirt to fan the flames, leaving her engulfed in fire.
Despite authorities’ efforts to extinguish the fire, the victim could not be saved. Video footage captured individuals observing the incident from the platform as well as police responding to the scene. Zapeta was apprehended by police officers on the same subway line after being recognized by teenagers. The crime has heightened concerns about subway safety, although overall transit system crime has decreased compared to the previous year.
During the same period last year, a number of notable incidents have occurred within the New York City subway system, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in ensuring public safety. In one such event in September, the police unintentionally wounded two bystanders and a fellow officer while attempting to apprehend a man wielding a knife in front of a train.
More recently, a Manhattan jury reached a verdict in the case of former Marine Daniel Penny, who stood trial for the fatal use of a chokehold on an agitated subway passenger last year. This particular trial has served as a focal point for discussions surrounding issues such as security, homelessness, and mental health within the transit system.
Policing the subway presents unique difficulties due to the extensive network of trains that traverse between 472 stations. Each station features numerous entry and exit points, as well as multiple levels and platforms in many instances.
Correction: The article has been updated to reflect that the name of Zapeta’s legal representative is Andrew Friedman, not Ed Friedman.
