In a horrible series of incidents in New York, a woman was set on fire while she appeared to be asleep on a subway train on Sunday, December 22, 2024, leading to her death. Reportedly, the unidentified victim was sitting on a motionless train on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn around 7:30 am.
An unknown man calmly approached her and set her on fire by using a lighter. The man then left the train car while remaining at the Subway platform, watching her being engulfed in flames. The Police officers in the subway station rushed to the scene, with a transit worker who extinguished the fire.
“What they saw was a person standing inside the train car was fully engulfed in trains,” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a press conference.
The woman was pronounced dead on the spot. The Police have not revealed her identity details as of yet.
Police Commissioner Tisch called the incident, one of the most depraved crimes that one person could commit against another human being.
Recent Updates in the Matter
In a recent update into the matter, the Police have apprehended a 33-year-old man from New York City. The suspect is identified as Sebastian Zapeta, who was taken into custody hours after the incident happened on Sunday morning. He has been charged with murder and arson charges.
The suspect, Zapeta is a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen who illegally entered the United States after he had been removed previously in 2018, Jeff Carter, a spokesperson for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said. It is unknown when and where he had entered the country 6 years ago.
However, the Police have been investigating the reason for the attack.
Social Media Reactions
A cellphone video of the scene has been surfacing over the internet, showing a man sitting on a bench on the platform, a few steps away from a burning woman was standing. The video has captured a wide reaction from netizens on the internet, calling the incident unbelievable.
“It’s hard to believe that this video is even real. Watching it you can see her standing there. Burning alive, and not even making a sound. Barely even moving. Don’t know, because thankfully I never been burned alive,” a user added.
“That’s what New York soft-on crime policies have done to society. People are afraid to get involved and have brag go them like a penny,” another user said.
What Brooklyn District Attorney Said?
Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez called the incident horrible and ensured his commitment to provide the victim justice.
“The depravity of this incident is beyond compensation, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to Justice. This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences,” he added.
Crime Rate in the City
This is to be noted that violent crimes in the New York subway are relatively rare. As of the previous month, there had been nine homicides on the Subway reported in the year 2024. The statistics are a bit higher compared to last year, where 5 cases were recorded in 2023, according to the Police data.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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