Man Indicted for Setting Woman on Fire on NYC Subway

Sebastian Zapeta faces multiple murder and arson charges after allegedly burning a sleeping woman to death in a Brooklyn subway car.

Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, has been indicted on first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree arson charges.
The victim, believed to have been homeless, remains unidentified due to the severity of her burns, with investigators relying on advanced DNA and fingerprint analysis.
Authorities allege Zapeta used a lighter to ignite the woman's clothing and fanned the flames with a shirt before sitting on a bench to watch her burn.
Zapeta was arrested later the same day after being recognized by high school students who had seen images released by the police.
The incident has reignited concerns about subway safety and the challenges of addressing homelessness and mental health issues in public spaces.