Police Arrest Person of Interest in Brooklyn Subway Attack Where Woman Was Set on Fire and Killed
A person of interest has been arrested in connection with a brutal attack on a Brooklyn subway train where a woman was set on fire and killed on Sunday. The attack occurred at the Stillwell Avenue Subway station in Coney Island at around 7:30 am.
According to police, the suspect, 33-year-old Sebastin Zapeta, entered the United States from Guatemala around a year ago, although it is unclear whether he did so legally or illegally. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that Zapeta entered the country from Guatemala in 2018, but offered no further details.
The attack occurred on a stationary “F” train where the woman was sleeping. The suspect allegedly approached the woman, lit her on fire, and then left the train car. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
Disturbing footage has emerged online showing the woman standing in the train while engulfed in flames, with a man matching Zapeta’s description sitting on a bench just outside the train, watching as the woman burns.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS or 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org.
