Migrant Accused of Torching Homeless Woman on Brooklyn Subway Makes First Court Appearance
Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan migrant, made his first court appearance on Tuesday, charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson after allegedly setting a homeless woman on fire on a Brooklyn subway train.
Zapeta, who was living in a Brooklyn men’s shelter, was ordered held without bail by Judge Jung Park. According to prosecutors, he used a lighter to ignite the woman’s clothing, and then fanned the flames with his shirt.
The incident occurred on a train stopped at the end of the line at Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. station on Sunday morning. Zapeta allegedly set the woman’s clothes on fire, and she became entirely engulfed in flames. He then sat down on a bench on the subway platform, calmly watching as she tried to put out the flames and escaped onto the platform.
Video footage from the scene shows Zapeta sitting on the bench, unphased, as the woman stands helplessly near the subway car’s open door. Police did not initially notice his involvement in the blaze, and he was able to walk away unnoticed. However, surveillance video and a police officer’s body cam later revealed his role in the incident, leading to his arrest.
Zapeta was arrested by New York City police and is due back in court on Friday to face the murder charges. His lawyer, Andrew Friedman, reserved the right to apply for bail at a later date.
