Headline: NYPD Charges Man with Murder, Arson after Horrific subway Fire
Subhead: Suspect allegedly set victim ablaze and watched as she burned to death, police say
Article:
NYPD has charged a man with murder and arson following a disturbing incident in which a woman was allegedly set on fire in a subway station early Saturday morning. The suspect, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, faces serious charges for the brutal crime.
In a press conference held Monday, police revealed that Zapeta was arrested hours after the incident, thanks to a tip from a group of high school students who recognized him from the suspect’s image circulating on the NYPD website. The students were travelling on the same subway line shortly after the tragic event.
Zapeta, a Gatitis Cortes, is a Gvatemalan national who had previously been deported from the U.S. in 2018. According to ICE spokesperson Jeff Carter, Zapeta illegally re-entered the country.
Security footage, which police haverelease akaname warned contains distressing content, showed Zapeta approaching the woman, who appeared to be unconscious or sleeping, and setting her clothes on fire. Zapeta was seen waiting on the platform as the woman succumbed to her injuries, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
"The woman’s clothing ignited almost immediately, engulfing her completely within seconds," Tisch told reporters. Despite the heroic efforts of transit workers and responding officers, they could not save the woman’s life.
The woman’s identity has not been released, pending notification of kin. The investigation continues, and anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline.
