A woman was tragically set on fire aboard a stationary subway train in Brooklyn, allegedly by Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen facing murder and arson charges.
BROOKLYN, NY (2-minute read) — A horrifying incident unfolded in Brooklyn when a woman was set ablaze aboard a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. Authorities have charged Sebastian Zapeta, 33, with murder and arson following this heinous act. Zapeta, a Guatemalan national previously deported in 2018, was apprehended wearing the same clothing seen in surveillance footage of the crime.
According to prosecutors, Zapeta allegedly approached the woman, ignited her clothing, and intensified the flames with a shirt. Despite interrogation, he offered no clear explanation, citing alcohol consumption as a factor. Surveillance footage and NYPD patrols present at the station played a role in his swift arrest.
The victim, yet to be publicly identified, was seated at the end of the train car when attacked. Authorities believe there was no prior interaction between the suspect and the victim. This tragic event reignites concerns about the safety of the subway system, despite a reported 6% decline in major felonies this year compared to 2023. However, subway murders have risen, with nine cases reported through November, up from five during the same period last year.
GRAPHIC WARNING: The video below shows a very graphic scene. Viewer Discretion is Advised.
‼️WARNING ‼️ GRAPHIC CONTENT!!
Cop and other civilians just stood by and watched that poor lady burn to death. They did nothing! Society is going to hell
https://t.co/K95b5b83Gn— Project Constitution (@ProjectConstitu) December 23, 2024
The sheer size and complexity of New York’s transit system—spanning 472 stations and accommodating millions of riders daily—pose challenges for law enforcement. Efforts like National Guard-assisted bag checks have been implemented to bolster security, but incidents like this highlight vulnerabilities.
Being legally armed is illegal for 99% of people in NYC, who remain vulnerable to attacks such as this one.
Safety Tip: When riding public transit, remain aware of your surroundings, avoid secluded areas of train cars, and report any suspicious behavior to authorities immediately.
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