A man was arrested for allegedly setting a woman on fire on Monday in New York City. The man, identified as Sebastian Zapeta, now faces a murder charge for the gruesome incident that took place on a subway train.
Reports of the disturbing tragedy detail that the suspect set the woman’s clothes on fire. He allegedly waved a shirt to fan the flames, causing the fire to engulf the woman, as per the criminal complaint.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained that the woman was set ablaze while travelling on the stationary F train in Brooklyn around 07:30 local time (12:30 GMT). Tisch said the man approached the woman and used a lighter to ignite her clothing. The woman’s clothes became “fully engulfed in a matter of seconds, and despite police officers extinguishing the flames, the woman still died at the scene.
The police, according to Tisch, became aware of the fire when they smelt and saw the smoke while they were patrolling an upper level of the station. When the man saw the police rushing to assist the woman, he got off the train but lingered outside before fleeing. The police later located him on a different train, and a lighter was discovered in his pocket when he was arrested.
According to the report, citing information from the police, the incident was captured by surveillance footage and the police body camera. The police also obtained statements from witnesses.
Additionally, the police are trying to determine if the woman was sleeping because she was reportedly “motionless” when she was set on fire. The police also believe that the man and the woman are not familiar with each other.
While the identity and the photo of the suspect were released by law enforcement, the victim’s identity was not disclosed. Zapeta was charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson in a New York court on Tuesday.
According to a report, the suspect remained silent in the courtroom when he was formally charged, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Zapeta is a 33-year-old immigrant who illegally entered the United States in 2018. After he was detained and deported, he illegally re-entered the US sometime later.
