New Delhi:

Hours after a woman was set on fire aboard the New York subway, billionaire Elon Musk responded to news that the suspect was a previously deported immigrant from Guatemala.

“Wow,” Mr. Musk responded on X to a news article detailing Sebastin Zapeta’s past.

Wow https://t.co/BAIkR6pcNZ

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 23, 2024

The man was arrested on Sunday in connection with the heinous crime. He set the woman on fire on an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station, Fox News reported. Zapeta is now charged with murder and arson.

The incident occurred when surveillance footage showed the suspect approaching the victim, who appeared to be sleeping or unresponsive, before setting fire to her clothing. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “one of the most depraved crimes that one person could ever commit against another human being.”

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene as officers and a transportation worker worked quickly to extinguish the flames.

Zapeta was arrested hours later while riding the same subway line. When he was arrested, authorities found a lighter in his pocket, which directly linked him to the crime.

Zapeta’s history with U.S. immigration authorities dates back to 2018. He was arrested by Border Patrol on June 1 after illegally entering Sonoita, Arizona. Days later, he was deported under the first Trump administration. However, authorities announced that Zapeta had illegally re-entered the United States at an unknown location and time.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Marie Ferguson confirmed that following Zapeta’s arrest, they would work with the New York Police Department (NYPD) to place an immigration detainer against him once more details on his charges and his whereabouts are available.

“The depravity of this terrible crime is unimaginable,” said a statement from the Kings County District Attorney. “Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe on our subways, and we will do everything in our power to take responsibility in this case.”

The police and the public prosecutor’s office have promised to act quickly. Prosecutors have expressed their determination to bring Zapeta to justice and hold him accountable for this horrific act of violence.