Who was the woman set on fire in an NYC subway? What we know so far

UPDATED: Dec 28, 2024 00:29 IST

In a horrific incident that sent shockwaves across the city, a woman was set on fire and killed inside a Brooklyn subway train. The gruesome act took place on the morning of December 22, 2024, at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station.

At about 7:30 am, the woman who was alone in one of the train cars was approached by a man who has later been identified as Sebastian Zapeta. The suspect then with a lighter set her clothing on fire. However, that was not enough for him as reportedly he also used his shirt to further intensify the flames, watching it ignite higher before sitting back down.

Though the assailant was in a visible area and an NYPD officer was nearby, no immediate assistance was rendered. Eventually, an MTA worker extinguished the flames. An MTA worker did eventually put out the fire after it had already done its damage—but not before the woman lost her life.

Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan national who came to this country illegally in 2018, was apprehended hours later. He has been charged with first-degree murder and arson. At his arraignment, Zapeta claimed he had “no recollection” of what happened and said alcohol played a role. Yet security footage and eyewitness accounts show Zapeta at the scene with a utility lighter in hand.

The victim has yet to be publicly identified. Because of her serious burns, authorities are investigating whether dental records need to be used to identify her. She may have been homeless, as the Coalition for the Homeless and other advocacy groups also suggested, and represents the perils that can accompany that condition.

The incident has raised many questions about public safety in New York City subway system. I am writing to express my cons... Critics have called out the fact there are no passenger-accessible fire extinguishers, saying that they are only available to MTA workers. As the MTA claims to have no intention of making fire extinguishers accessible to subway riders, it will rely on emergency services to respond to these types of situations.

The incident has also stirred up a political debate about immigration laws and public safety. Mayor Eric Adams has called on federal officials to press new charges against Zapeta, suggesting a possible break in the city’s prior cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This step has received a mixed reaction, reflecting the complex dynamics of New York City's sanctuary city status and the ongoing national discourse on immigration.