NEW YORK — A man has been charged with the horrific act of setting a woman on fire in a New York City subway, and he made his initial court appearance this week as authorities are still working to identify the victim.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, faced murder and arson charges during his arraignment on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn. He was ordered to remain in custody without entering a plea, and his attorney declined to comment to the media present. His next court appearance is set for Friday.
Officials allege that Zapeta, believed to be a Guatemalan citizen who entered the United States without authorization, approached the woman on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn on Sunday morning and ignited her clothing.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident “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 apprehended on Sunday, just hours after images of a suspect were released to the public.
According to police, three high school students recognized Zapeta from the released images and called 911. He was found on another subway train wearing the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots.
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jeff Carter, stated that Zapeta had previously been deported to Guatemala in 2018 and re-entered the U.S. illegally, although the specifics of his re-entry remain unclear.
During his Tuesday arraignment in Brooklyn criminal court, Zapeta appeared in a white jumpsuit and did not speak.
Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg, during the hearing, claimed that Zapeta set the woman’s clothing on fire and then used a shirt to fan the flames.
Rottenberg also mentioned that during interrogation, Zapeta claimed to have no recollection of the event, citing his alcohol consumption. However, he allegedly identified himself in footage from the attack.
Police indicated that Zapeta’s Brooklyn address corresponds with a service center for Samaritan Daytop Village, an organization providing housing and substance abuse assistance. The organization has not responded to requests for comments.
What do we know about the victim?
As of Thursday, the victim has not been publicly identified, with the NYPD confirming she has only been referred to as a woman.
Commissioner Tisch remarked at a press conference that the victim was “in a seated position” at the end of the train car when the attack occurred. Joseph Gulotta, the chief of transit, noted that the suspect and the victim did not seem to know each other and had no prior interaction.
What kind of police presence is there on the subway?
While police patrol the subway system and there is an extensive network of surveillance cameras in both stations and subway cars, the vastness of the network—consisting of 472 stations and millions of daily riders—makes comprehensive policing a challenge.
On the day of the incident, officers were present at the station but were patrolling a different platform. They responded after noticing smoke and hearing commotion.
Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed members of the state’s National Guard to assist with random bag checks at select subway stations to enhance safety.
Is crime up on the subways?
Reports of violent incidents in the subway system often heighten anxiety among passengers, especially as many New Yorkers rely on the trains daily and have encountered their own unsettling experiences.
Overall, crime in the city’s transit system has seen a decline this year compared to the same period in 2022. Data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority indicates a 6% drop in major felonies from January to November this year compared to last.
However, the number of murders within the transit system has increased, with nine reported killings this year through November, compared to five in the same timeframe last year.
High-profile cases often draw national scrutiny, further unsettling passengers. Recently, Daniel Penny, a military veteran, was acquitted of homicide after placing an agitated subway rider in a chokehold.
“Such incidents overshadow progress made and impact the perception of safety among New Yorkers,” remarked New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a Monday interview, noting that many of the high-profile occurrences in the transit system involve individuals facing mental health challenges.
