Man charged with murder after woman sets fire to F train in Brooklyn

Man charged with murder after woman sets fire to F train in Brooklyn

Police have charged the man who allegedly set fire to and killed a woman on an F train in Brooklyn on Sunday morning.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was charged with first- and second-degree murder and arson. Police said he lived in East New York at an address on Forbell Avenue. The address appears to be associated with a substance abuse treatment facility.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday that Zapeta was in the United States illegally as a Guatemalan citizen after being served with an expedited deportation order in Arizona in 2018 and that he returned to the United States without authorization at some unknown time since then. ICE said it plans to house an immigration detainee with the NYPD.

Police have still not released any information about the woman killed in the incident.

Authorities previously said Sunday that Zapeta – whose name they had not released at the time – and the woman were riding in the same car when it pulled into the Stillwell Avenue station. They said the man “calmly” approached the woman and allegedly used a lighter to set fire to her clothing. Photos reviewed by Gothamist showed the fire spreading throughout the train car.

“The depravity of this terrible crime is unimaginable, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement Monday. “This cruel and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will have the most serious consequences.” Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe on our subways, and we will do everything in our power to take responsibility in this case. I commend the NYPD for their quick work in apprehending the suspect.”

According to authorities, three students called 911 after recognizing the man from images that police shared with the public from on-board video cameras. Police later recognized the man riding the subway in Manhattan, authorities said.

– Includes reports from Giulia Heyward and Catalina Gonella

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