Announcements from the U.S. Department of Justice or Department of Homeland Security

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil Charged With First-Degree Murder and Arson After Setting Woman on Fire on NYC Subway on December 22, 2024

Dec 24, 2024, 07:42 PM

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old Guatemalan migrant, has been charged with first-degree murder and arson following the death of a woman set on fire while she was sleeping on a New York City subway train. The incident occurred on December 22, 2024, when Zapeta allegedly used a lighter to ignite the victim's clothing before fanning the flames with his shirt. Authorities confirmed that Zapeta had been previously deported under the Trump administration in 2018 but re-entered the U.S. illegally. He was living at a men's shelter in Brooklyn at the time of the attack and reportedly admitted to being intoxicated during the incident. The victim, who has not yet been identified due to severe burns, was discovered with a walker and bags. The case has drawn attention to issues of subway safety, illegal immigration, and the adequacy of police response, as witnesses reported that bystanders recorded the incident without intervening. Zapeta's arraignment occurred on December 24, 2024, where he stated he could not remember the events leading to the woman's death.