Brooklyn Subway Horror: Guatemalan Migrant Charged in Fiery Murder on F Train

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen living in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with murder and arson in one of the most shocking crimes to hit New York City’s subway system. The incident unfolded early Sunday morning when a woman was set ablaze aboard an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chilling Details of the Attack

Authorities allege that Zapeta-Calil approached the woman, who was seated at the end of the subway car, and used a lighter to ignite her clothing. In a matter of seconds, she was engulfed in flames. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Zapeta-Calil fanning the fire with his shirt before calmly sitting on a nearby bench to watch the horrifying scene unfold.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the act as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could commit against another human being.” Officers and a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) worker extinguished the flames, but it was too late to save the victim.

The Arrest

Zapeta-Calil was apprehended hours later, thanks to three high school students who recognized him from police-distributed images. He was found on another subway train still wearing the distinctive gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots seen in the surveillance footage. A lighter was discovered in his pocket at the time of his arrest.

During interrogation, Zapeta-Calil reportedly claimed he was intoxicated and could not remember the attack. Prosecutors allege, however, that he identified himself in the surveillance images. Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg stated that Zapeta-Calil admitted to fanning the flames during the attack.

Suspect’s Immigration Status and Past

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Zapeta-Calil is a Guatemalan national who was deported in 2018. The circumstances of his reentry into the U.S. remain unclear. Zapeta-Calil was reportedly staying at a Brooklyn facility operated by Samaritan Daytop Village, which provides housing and support for individuals struggling with substance abuse.

The Victim and the Crime Scene

The victim was seated when the attack occurred, and investigators have found no evidence suggesting she knew Zapeta-Calil. NYPD officials emphasized that there was no interaction between the two before the attack. Officers stationed at the subway were patrolling a different platform and responded only after noticing smoke and flames.

The incident, captured on body-worn cameras, has raised questions about police response and subway safety. Social media users have criticized officers for not immediately intervening to smother the flames, calling their actions “shameful.”

A System Under Scrutiny

This brutal crime has reignited concerns about safety in New York City’s sprawling subway system. While overall crime in the transit network has decreased by 6% compared to last year, murders in the system have risen, with nine reported this year through November, up from five during the same period in 2023.

Despite enhanced patrols and a robust surveillance network, the subway system’s vast network of 472 stations presents a logistical challenge for law enforcement. Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed National Guard members for random bag checks at select stations to bolster security.

Next Steps in the Case

Zapeta-Calil made his first court appearance on Tuesday, wearing a white jumpsuit over a weathered black hoodie. He did not speak during the arraignment and remains in custody. His next court date is scheduled for Friday.

This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing New York’s subway system and the vulnerabilities of its millions of daily riders. As the investigation continues, New Yorkers are left grappling with the horror of an attack that underscores the dangers lurking beneath the city’s bustling streets.

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