On Sunday morning, Sebastian Zapeta allegedly approached a woman sitting on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station and set her on fire. Surveillance footage captured the chilling scene as Zapeta calmly watched the woman’s clothes become engulfed in flames before remaining at the scene. Despite efforts by police and transit workers to extinguish the fire, the woman tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Zapeta, who had previously been deported from the United States in 2018, was apprehended later that day after a group of high school students recognized him from circulated police images.
This heinous act has sparked widespread condemnation. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described it as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being”. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez vowed to pursue the most severe consequences for Zapeta.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about public safety in the city’s subway system. While Governor Kathy Hochul has implemented measures such as deploying National Guard troops and expanding surveillance camera coverage, the city continues to grapple with the challenges of ensuring safety for its transit riders.
Image—Yahoo News
