Horrific Subway Attack in NYC: Woman Set Ablaze

A 33-year-old man, Sebastian Zapeta, has been arrested and charged with murder and arson after allegedly setting a woman on fire on a New York City subway train. The incident occurred Sunday morning on an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn.

Suspect Details

• Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who had previously been deported, was apprehended after high school students recognized him from police images.
• He was found on another subway train wearing a gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants and tan boots.
• During arraignment, he did not enter a plea and was remanded to custody. Prosecutors allege he lit the victim's clothing on fire and fanned the flames.
• Zapeta's reported Brooklyn address is linked to a Samaritan Daytop Village service center, providing housing and substance abuse support.

Victim Remains Unidentified

• As of Tuesday, the victim's identity has not been publicly released by authorities. Police described her as a woman who was seated at the end of a train car during the attack.
• Police believe the suspect and victim did not know each other.

Subway Safety Concerns

• While NYC subways have extensive camera surveillance and patrols, the sheer scale of the system presents logistical challenges in maintaining complete safety and security.
• Although overall major felonies are down in the transit system this year compared to 2023, murders are up.
• High-profile incidents like this, such as the recent acquittal of Daniel Penny in the Jordan Neely case, raise broader anxieties about subway safety and mental health issues among riders.

Link to MTA crime statistics

Mayor Adams' Response

NYC Mayor Eric Adams commented on the incident, highlighting how such events, often involving individuals with mental health issues, overshadow progress in improving subway safety and affect the collective psyche of New Yorkers.