A shocking, senseless crime was committed today in the New York City subway when a man apparently intentionally set a woman on fire. She subsequently died. Her identity has not yet been made public. A person of interest has been arrested, per NBC News.
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Per the New York Post, the suspect is a Guatemalan migrant. Fox News Digital is reporting that his name is Sebastin Zapeta and he is 33 years old. Per the outlet, "...[H]e entered the U.S. from Guatemala approximately a year ago, but whether he did so legally or illegally was unclear."
Per CNN, "Around 7:30 a.m., the suspect approached the victim on a train car and intentionally set her on fire before fleeing the scene, according to the NYPD. The suspect and the victim were both riding an F train to the end of the line at Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch."
According to the outlet, the crime is being classified as a homicide.
A lighter was evidently used to set the woman's garments on fire. Tisch said that her clothing "became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds."
How Police Came Upon The Victim
They Were Doing 'A Routine Patrol' And Spotted Her
According to NYPD Det. Austin Glickman who spoke to CNN, officers found the woman on fire in a subway car. They noticed the odor of smoke and saw it as well, which eventually led them to the victim. They put out the flames. EMS reportedly arrived and pronounced her deceased.
Commissioner Tisch Said That The Suspect Evidently Did Not Flee The Scene
The Officers' Body Cameras Got Clear Pics Of Him
Tisch explained, "Unbeknownst to the officers who responded, the suspect had stayed on the scene and was seated on a bench on the platform just outside the train car, and the body-worn cameras on the responding officers produced a very clear detailed look at the killer."
The Man Allegedly Approached Her In A 'Calm' Manner
The two appear to be unknown to each other. According to John MIler, who is an intelligence and chief law enforcement analyst for CNN, the perpetrator left the subway car, and remained at the station sitting on a bench, witnessing the woman standing while she was on fire.
The Officers' Body Cam Photos Were Key To The Suspect's Apprehension
'Three High School-Age New Yorkers' Recognized The Man And Notified Police
The man was reportedly taken into custody peacefully at the 34th Street-Herald Square station. Mayor Eric Adams released a statement about the incident on X. He said, "Grateful to the young New Yorkers and transit officers who stepped up to help our NYPD make a quick arrest following this morning's heinous and deadly subway attack. This type of depraved behavior has no place in our subways and we are committed to working hard to ensure there is swift justice for all victims of violent crime. My prayers are with the family of the victim in this senseless killing."
