A horrifying subway attack in Brooklyn has left a community outraged after a woman was set on fire and died on an F train.
The suspect, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, allegedly told police he was drunk at the time and claims he cannot recall committing the heinous act.
Victim Burned Alive While Suspect Watched
Zapeta-Calil has been charged with first-degree murder and arson after reportedly setting the unnamed victim on fire as she slept on the train early Sunday morning. Police say he sat calmly on a bench, watching as the woman succumbed to the flames, even fanning the fire at one point. Chilling video footage captured him at Stillwell Avenue station in Coney Island as bystanders filmed the horrifying scene on their phones.
Law enforcement sources revealed that Zapeta-Calil was arrested shortly after, found with a lighter in his pocket. He was taken into custody wearing paint-splattered pants and a gray hoodie matching descriptions from surveillance footage.
Police Response Under Fire
The attack has sparked backlash against the NYPD after videos showed officers walking past the burning woman without intervening. Social media users blasted their apparent inaction, calling it “cowardly” and “shameful.”
“An innocent woman was dying, and they walked away like it was an inconvenience,” one user fumed. Another demanded, “The cop should go to jail for not helping. This is the oath they take. Coward.”
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the criticism, explaining that officers responding to the scene were unaware the suspect was still present. She praised their subsequent efforts to apprehend Zapeta-Calil, describing the investigation as “great technology and even greater old-fashioned police work.”
Suspect’s Troubling History
Reports indicate that Zapeta-Calil is an illegal migrant from Guatemala who was deported from the U.S. in 2018 but managed to reenter the country. How he returned remains unclear.
The NYPD said the victim and suspect did not know each other, describing the attack as “random and depraved.” Surveillance footage reportedly shows Zapeta-Calil setting the victim’s clothing on fire with a lighter, leaving her fully engulfed in flames within seconds.
Dramatic Arrest Caught on Video
Hours after the attack, high school students spotted Zapeta-Calil on an F train and alerted authorities. The train was stopped at Herald Square, where officers apprehended the suspect in a crowded carriage. Videos of the arrest were widely shared online, capturing the tense moment.
Police say Zapeta-Calil’s distinctive clothing and possession of a lighter linked him to the crime. He is currently being held on murder and arson charges.
Public Outrage and Calls for Justice
The brutal nature of the attack and the perceived lack of urgency from authorities have left New Yorkers demanding accountability. The victim’s identity has yet to be released, but her tragic death has reignited debates over subway safety and police response protocols.
With Zapeta-Calil now in custody, many hope justice will be served, but the incident has left a lasting scar on the city’s collective conscience.
