NEW YORK — A man has been arrested and charged with the shocking crime of igniting a woman on fire in a subway train in New York City. He made his first court appearance this week as officials continue their efforts to identify the victim.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was arraigned on murder and arson charges on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn. He has been ordered to remain in detention without entering a plea, and his attorney opted not to comment to the media. His next court date is scheduled for Friday.
Authorities allege that Zapeta, who is thought to be a Guatemalan national that entered the U.S. unlawfully, approached the woman on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn on Sunday morning and set her clothes ablaze.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the act as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could commit against another.”
Here’s the latest update:
What do we know about the suspect?
Zapeta was taken into custody on Sunday, only hours after images of the suspect were shared with the public.
According to police reports, three high school students recognized Zapeta from the released images and promptly called 911. He was located on another subway train, still wearing the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots.
A representative from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jeff Carter, stated that Zapeta was previously deported to Guatemala in 2018 but had re-entered the United States illegally, with the details of his re-entry remaining unclear.
During his Tuesday court appearance at the Brooklyn criminal court, Zapeta was seen in a white jumpsuit and remained silent throughout the proceedings.
Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg claimed during the hearing that Zapeta had set the woman’s clothing on fire and then attempted to fan the flames with a shirt.
Rottenberg further mentioned that during questioning, Zapeta claimed to have no memory of the incident due to alcohol consumption. However, he reportedly recognized himself in the surveillance footage of the attack.
Police noted that Zapeta’s registered address in Brooklyn is linked to a service center run by Samaritan Daytop Village, an organization that offers housing and support for substance abuse issues. The organization has not yet responded to inquiries for comment.
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 stated at a press briefing that the victim was “in a seated position” within the train car when the assault took place. Joseph Gulotta, the chief of transit, indicated that the suspect and victim appeared to have no previous relationship or interaction.
What kind of police presence is there on the subway?
While police do patrol the subway system and there is a wide array of surveillance cameras in both the stations and on the trains, the extensive network—comprising 472 stations and millions of daily passengers—poses challenges for thorough policing.
On the day of the incident, officers were present at the station but on a different platform. They responded after noticing smoke and hearing disturbances.
Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had directed members of the National Guard to assist with random bag checks at certain subway stations to bolster safety measures.
Is crime up on the subways?
Reports of violent occurrences within the subway system often amplify fears among riders, particularly as many New Yorkers utilize the trains for daily commutes and have faced their own unsettling encounters.
Overall, crime levels within the city’s transit system have actually declined this year compared to the same period in 2022. According to data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, there has been a 6% reduction in major felonies from January to November this year when compared to last year.
However, the number of murders within the transit system has seen an increase, with nine reported homicides this year through November, compared to five during the same period last year.
High-profile incidents tend to attract national attention, further unsettling commuters. Recently, Daniel Penny, a military veteran, was acquitted of homicide after placing an agitated subway rider in a chokehold.
“Such incidents overshadow the progress made and affect how safe New Yorkers feel,” stated New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a Monday interview, noting that many high-profile cases in the transit system involve individuals struggling with mental health issues.
