NEW YORK – Authorities in New York City are utilizing forensics and video footage to uncover the identity of a woman who perished in a subway fire in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, the man accused of igniting the blaze, Sebastian Zapeta, has been indicted by a grand jury on state charges, as announced by the district attorney on Friday.
Zapeta, 33, is alleged to have set the woman’s clothing on fire while aboard a stationary train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station on Sunday morning. Following a brief court session, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez revealed that Zapeta faces serious charges of both murder and arson. The most severe charge could lead to a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Legal representatives for Zapeta, who was identified by federal immigration officials as a Guatemalan national residing in the United States illegally, chose not to share any statements regarding the case at this time.
On Sunday, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch characterized the incident as “one of the most depraved crimes” against an individual.
Details about the suspect have emerged following his arrest on Sunday, shortly after police released images of him to assist in the investigation. Reports indicate that three high school students recognized Zapeta from the images and promptly called 911. Officers subsequently located him on a nearby subway train clad in the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-stained pants, and tan boots described in police reports.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Zapeta previously faced deportation in 2018 and has since re-entered the United States illegally, though details regarding the timing and location of his re-entry remain unclear.
In a recent court appearance, a prosecutor outlined that Zapeta allegedly approached the victim on the subway and set her on fire, using a shirt to fan the flames. The prosecutor described a chilling scene where Zapeta simply watched as the woman was engulfed in fire. Although Zapeta claimed to have been unaware of the events due to alcohol consumption, he reportedly acknowledged his presence in the attack footage to investigators.
Zapeta has not yet provided a plea regarding the charges against him. The details of his indictment will be made public in January, according to Gonzalez. Furthermore, police records indicated that Zapeta has a residence linked to a service center for Samaritan Daytop Village, an organization that aids individuals with housing and substance abuse issues. The organization has not provided comments on the circumstances surrounding him.
Information about the victim remains limited as law enforcement has only described her as a woman. Gonzalez confirmed that the investigation is progressing in identifying her through methods such as fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, and video surveillance prior to the incident. He emphasized that despite the victim’s apparent homelessness, her death left grieving family members behind.
Commissioner Tisch noted that the victim was seated in the subway car at the time of the attack. NYPD transit chief Joseph Gulotta mentioned that there is no evidence suggesting a prior relationship or interaction between the suspect and victim before the tragic event.
In response to the incident, Rev. Kevin McCall organized a prayer vigil at the Coney Island station to honor the victim, attended by community leaders.
In terms of subway safety, police maintain a presence across the vast New York City subway system, which includes an extensive network of cameras installed in stations and on trains. However, the sheer scale of the system, containing 472 stations and millions of daily riders, complicates effective policing efforts.
On the day of the incident, officers at the station were on a different platform but quickly intervened upon noticing smoke rising from the fire. New York Governor Kathy Hochul had previously deployed members of the state’s National Guard to carry out random bag inspections at select subway stations as part of safety measures.
When asked about crime statistics in the subway system, reports suggest that violent incidents do create anxiety among riders, especially as many New Yorkers utilize the trains several times daily and have experienced uncomfortable interactions themselves. Despite a 6% reduction in overall major felonies in the transit system this year compared to 2023, there has been a notable increase in murders, rising from five to nine incidents this year.
High-profile violent events in the subway have drawn public attention, causing increased fear among passengers. Mayor Eric Adams highlighted how such incidents can overshadow the positive aspects of safety efforts and affect the mental state of commuters, particularly due to the individuals involved often struggling with mental health issues.
