Official announcements from the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Sleeping Woman Set on Fire on NYC Subway; Suspect Arrested in Coney Island

Dec 22, 2024, 10:03 PM

New York City police are investigating a homicide after a homeless woman was found dead on a stationary F train in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Around 7:30 a.m., the woman was allegedly set on fire by a man while she was sleeping near the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. Eyewitnesses and police sources indicate that the attacker, identified as 25-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, used a lighter or match to ignite her clothing before fleeing the scene. The suspect allegedly watched the victim burn from a nearby bench. Authorities have arrested Zapeta, who is reportedly from Guatemala, in connection with the incident. A $10,000 reward had been offered for information leading to his arrest. Three high school-aged New Yorkers spotted the suspect and called 911.