Who is Sebastian Zapeta, A Guatemalan Migrant in Setting a Woman on Fire Inside NY Subway Who is Sebastian Zapeta, A Guatemalan Migrant in Setting a Woman on Fire Inside NY Subway

A Guatemalan immigrant named Sebastian Zapeta was taken into custody on suspicion of setting a sleeping woman on fire inside a Coney Island F train ...

The Motives of New York Subway on Fire: Liquor Bottles and A Lighter

A Guatemalan migrant has been arrested for allegedly setting a sleeping woman on fire inside a Coney Island F train on Sunday morning.

Three teenagers recognized the man from the photos and called 911, enabling NYPD and transit officers to work together to arrest him

Police sources report that a civilian identified the suspect on a train at 34th Street in Manhattan. The witness alerted officers, who subsequently detained the individual.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a press conference that the suspect used a lighter to ignite the victim’s clothing, immediately engulfing her in flames.

Learn more: Fact-Check: Kathy Hochul Touted 'the NYC Subway Safe' After 'Woman Burned Alive'

The Guatemala migrant is suspected of setting the woman on fire and then watching her burn to death. The man was able to escape the scene after responding police unwittingly ushered nearby passengers to leave the scene.

Cops had briefly talked to the man, not aware that he had set the woman on fire and told him to leave the scene in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Sources said the victim was found with liquor bottles strewn about her, though it was not immediately clear if the perp used them in the attack.

The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, is accused of igniting the woman around 7:30 a.m., then watching her burn to death.

The New York Police Department claims that Zapeta was on a train at 34th Street in Manhattan when a fellow traveler recognized him and informed the authorities. Dorian Geiger, metro reporter for the New York Post, said on X that a lighter has allegedly been found in the possession of the Zapeta.

A Woman Set on Fire inside New York Subway

Days before Christmas, the community was rocked by what investigators have called a shocking and unprovoked attack. The motive behind the horrific crime is still being looked into by authorities.

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced during a press conference that a suspect was spotted in the area shortly after the crime. He was seen sitting on a platform bench, and clear imagery of him was captured by an officer’s body camera. This footage was later shared publicly through a wanted flier.

Sebastian Zapeta, Guatemala migrant attack on fire: Motivated by liquor?
Sebastian Zapeta

NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta revealed that security camera footage played a crucial role in narrowing down the search for the man seen in the body camera recording. Later in the day, three individuals, described as "high school-aged" riders, recognized someone resembling the suspect and promptly called 911. Officers responding to the call boarded the train, located the suspect, and detained him.

Police stated that officers in the vicinity had smelled smoke and quickly rushed to the scene. One officer remained on-site while others retrieved fire extinguishers to put out the flames. Unfortunately, emergency medical services declared the woman dead at the scene. The incident is being treated as a homicide.