Suspect identified in fatal burning of a woman on New York City subway

NEW YORK – A 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after a woman was burned to death on a New York City subway train at the weekend, police and federal officials said on Dec 23.

Sebastian Zapeta was arrested about six hours after police say he used a lighter to ignite the clothes of a woman who appeared to be dozing on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.

The suspect entered the US without authorisation in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala a few days later, and it was unclear when he unlawfully re-entered, the US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Dec 23.

Police said there appeared to have been no prior interaction between the assailant, who had been living in Brooklyn, and the victim, who has not been identified.

The suspect was in custody and it was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer. He was arrested on a subway train on Dec 22 afternoon and had a lighter in his pocket, police said. He was due to appear in court to face charges on Dec 23 or 24.

Subway workers and police officers who had been patrolling the station used fire extinguishers to put out the flames that engulfed the woman, who was declared dead at the scene.

“The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement on Dec 23. “This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences.”

The Department of Homeland Security statement said it would pursue removal proceedings again whenever Zapeta was released from New York custody, which could include a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted. REUTERS