Subway Arson Murder Suspect Appears in Court “`
The individual accused of setting a woman on fire on a New York City subway car appeared in court this week. Authorities have yet to publicly identify the victim.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, faced murder and arson charges on Tuesday in a Brooklyn court and was remanded. He didn’t enter a plea, and his lawyer remained silent. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Prosecutors allege Zapeta, identified by immigration officials as a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, intentionally ignited the woman’s clothing on a stopped F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station Sunday morning.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the crime “one of the most depraved” imaginable.
Here’s the latest:
What do we know about the suspect?
Zapeta was apprehended Sunday, hours after police released his image.
Three high school students, recognizing him from the released image, contacted 911. Officers located him on another subway train, still wearing the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Jeff Carter stated Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who illegally reentered the U.S. after a 2018 deportation. The exact time and location of his re-entry remain unclear.
Zapeta appeared in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday in a white jumpsuit and remained silent.
Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg stated during the hearing that Zapeta lit the woman’s clothing on fire and fanned the flames with a shirt.
Rottenberg added that Zapeta, during questioning, claimed ignorance of the event, citing alcohol consumption. However, Rottenberg alleged Zapeta identified himself in images of the attack.
Zapeta’s Brooklyn address, released by police, corresponds to a Samaritan Daytop Village service center offering housing and substance abuse support. The organization didn’t respond to requests for comment.
What do we know about the victim?
As of Thursday, the NYPD hadn’t publicly identified the victim, described only as a woman.
Tisch stated at a Sunday press conference that the victim was seated at the end of the train car when the attack occurred. Joseph Gulotta, the department’s chief of transit, added that there’s no indication the suspect and victim knew each other or interacted prior to the incident.
What kind of police presence is there on the subway?
Police patrol the New York City subways, and a comprehensive camera network covers stations and trains.
However, the system’s vast size—472 stations, multiple entry points, and millions of daily riders—presents significant policing challenges.
Officers were present at the station on Sunday but were patrolling a different platform. They responded after noticing smoke from the fire.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently deployed members of the state’s National Guard to assist with random bag checks at select stations.
Is crime up on the subways?
Subway crime often causes anxiety among New Yorkers, many of whom use the subway daily and have experienced uncomfortable interactions.
Overall, crime in the city’s transit system is down this year compared to the same period in 2023. Metropolitan Transportation Authority data shows a 6% decrease in major felonies between January and November of this year and last year.
Conversely, subway murders are up, with nine this year through November compared to five during the same period last year.
High-profile incidents often draw national attention and heighten passenger unease. For example, a military veteran acquitted of homicide this month had previously placed a subway rider in a chokehold.
“These incidents overshadow successes and affect New Yorkers’ psyche,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a Monday interview on PIX 11, noting that many high-profile incidents involve individuals with mental health issues.