NEW YORK (AP) — 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta has been charged with two counts of murder and arson after allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train, causing her death.
At a Brooklyn court hearing on December 24, Zapeta, a Guatemalan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was arraigned but did not enter a plea. He remains in custody, with no bail requested by his defense attorney. His next court appearance is set for Friday.
Zapeta is accused of killing a woman on May 21, 2023, aboard an F train, which was stopped at Coney Island. Prosecutors say he approached the woman, possibly asleep, and ignited her clothing with a lighter. He then used a shirt to fan the flames, engulfing her in fire. Afterward, Zapeta allegedly sat on a nearby bench and watched as the woman burned.
The victim’s identity has not yet been confirmed. Police reported that officers at the scene could smell smoke and discovered the woman fully engulfed in flames. Despite attempts to extinguish the fire, she was declared dead on-site.
Zapeta was arrested on December 22 after being recognized by teenagers on the same subway line. He was later identified in security images of the attack.
Zapeta faces serious charges: two counts of intoxication manslaughter, two counts of intoxication assault, and one count of arson. If convicted of the most severe charge, he could face life in prison without parole.
This gruesome incident has intensified safety concerns surrounding New York City’s subway system, especially after graphic footage of the attack circulated on social media. Though transit crime has generally decreased, this case has left many New Yorkers deeply unsettled.
Federal immigration authorities revealed that Zapeta was previously deported in 2018 but reentered the U.S. illegally. His defense attorney, Andrew Friedman, declined to comment after the arraignment.
The case continues to unfold as the investigation progresses.