A man of 33, identified as Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, was formally accused this Monday for his alleged role in a horrifying crime on a New York subway train. This incident involved the deliberate ignition and subsequent death of a woman, an act which authorities have labeled as a ‘brutal murder’ and a clear display of ‘depraved behavior.’ According to police reports, on Sunday, Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan citizen reportedly in the US illegally, confronted the woman in silence before setting her clothes on fire, leading her to be fully engulfed within a matter of seconds.
Footage captured on a surveillance system appears to depict Zapeta-Calil seated on a bench, observing as the woman burned and police officials arrived at the scene. The New York City Police Department has since slapped him with charges of first- and second-degree murder, as well as first-degree arson in connection to the heinous act.
In a fervent statement, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez spoke out against the gruesome crime. He stated that the office was committed to serving justice for such a senseless and horrifying act of violence carried out on an unsuspecting victim. He further noted the serious consequences that would follow anyone who commits such a dire offense.
Zapeta-Calil was first encountered by the Border Patrol in Sonoita, Arizona, on June 1, 2018. Following a swift process, an expedited removal order was imposed, resulting in his deportation to Guatemala just six days later. Despite this, he managed to unlawfully reenter the US, with the specific date and location of entry remaining unknown.
Details about Zapeta-Calil’s detention location are yet to be disclosed. Subsequent to the release of this information, Enforcement and Removal Operations are expected to lodge an immigration detainer at the aforementioned NYPD location. Up to this moment, the victim of this tragic event remains unidentified.
This particular incident serves to escalate existing fears concerning safety and disorder on the subway in recent times. This comes after New York’s subway system has been plagued by a spate of random and alarming acts of violence over the years.
The murder on the subway train was not the only fatal incident to have happened that Sunday. At around half past midnight, a different subway line, the southbound 7 train at the 61 St-Woodside station in Queens, was the scene of a stabbing that resulted in one fatality and another individual being injured. A 26-year-old suspect has been taken into custody, but his identity has yet to be revealed.
It is worth mentioning that despite a recent spate of high-profile violent incidents, crime rates in the subway system have decreased by 10% since a safety plan was launched in May and by 42% since January 2021. Nonetheless, these alarming situations have left some residents feeling uneasy.
Reports indicate that this brutal attack took place around 7:30 a.m. on an F train heading into the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. At first, investigators believed that the fire had been accidentally started due to the presence of liquor bottles in close proximity to the victim. However, upon reviewing footage from onboard camera systems, the narrative quickly changed.
The surveillance footage painted a chilling picture. Just the suspect and the victim, who was asleep, were onboard. The suspect proceeded to approach the woman and deliberately set fire to her clothes and the blanket that she was using. Subsequently, the suspect calmly exited the train and took a seat on a platform bench, seemingly watching as the victim burned.
Victim identification revealed she had some mobility challenges as evidenced by a walker found at the scene. Additionally, she was adorned with an ample amount of clothing and fabric, elements which officials presume could have facilitated the rapid spread of the fire.
Upon discovery of the burning victim, officers stopped the train at Herald Square station in midtown Manhattan and undertake a car-by-car search to apprehend the suspect. He was ultimately found in possession of a lighter, further incriminating him in the crime.
The NYPD’s Crime Stoppers division set a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the suspect. Fortunately, no other passengers or first responders sustained injuries during this horrific episode. The prompt apprehension of the suspect was largely attributed to the pivotal role surveillance technology played in identifying him.
Brooklyn’s District Attorney Eric Gonzalez publicly condemned the attack, promising swift justice for the victim and renewing the commitment to ensuring a safe commute for all New Yorkers. Praising the alertness of those who assisted in the suspect’s apprehension was New York City’s Mayor, who stressed the city’s commitment to swiftly bringing justice to victims of such intolerable acts of violence. To round up the grim day, the city had been on a ‘Code Blue’ alert the previous night, mandating additional resources and shelter for those vulnerable to frigid temperatures including the homeless, some of whom turn to the subway system for refuge during severe weather.