A court hearing is scheduled for Friday for Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of setting a woman on fire on a New York City subway train, resulting in her death, The Associated Press reports.
Zapeta, 33, faces two counts of murder and one count of arson in connection with the apparently random attack that occurred early Sunday morning in Brooklyn.
The incident unfolded on a train stopped at the Coney Island station, where authorities allege Zapeta approached the woman, who may have been sleeping. According to prosecutors, Zapeta used a lighter to ignite the woman’s clothing and then fanned the flames with a shirt, causing her to become engulfed in fire. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Zapeta reportedly remained on the platform and watched as she burned, according to prosecutors. He was later apprehended by police while riding a train on the same subway line later that day.
During a brief court appearance earlier in the week, Zapeta was not required to enter a plea. His attorney has yet to respond to requests for comment. The victim’s identity has not yet been publicly released by authorities.
Federal immigration officials have stated that Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally. He had been previously deported in 2018 but returned to the country illegally at some point afterward. Zapeta is currently being held at the city’s Rikers Island jail complex.
Prosecutor Ari Rottenberg stated during a Tuesday court appearance that Zapeta admitted to consuming a large amount of alcohol and claimed not to remember the incident. However, Rottenberg said Zapeta did identify himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit.
A Brooklyn address associated with Zapeta, released by police following his arrest, corresponds to a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support.
