Overview
- Hiram Carrero, 18, was arrested Thursday and initially charged by the NYPD with attempted murder, arson, assault, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment.
- Federal authorities brought a case that moves the prosecution to Manhattan federal court, with his first appearance scheduled for Friday.
- Police say the 56-year-old was asleep on a northbound No. 3 train around 3 a.m. when a man entered at 34th Street–Penn Station, ignited his pants, and exited to the platform.
- An off-duty MTA worker noticed smoke at Times Square, and the victim was hospitalized with significant burns and is expected to survive.
- Investigators cite surveillance video and physical evidence, including charred skin on the seat, and report Carrero was taken into custody near his Harlem home around 10:45 a.m.