A Guatemalan national, previously deported during the Trump administration, has been apprehended in New York City and charged with murder and arson following a horrific incident on the subway. Sebastin Zapeta, 33, allegedly set a woman on fire aboard a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station and then passively observed as she burned to death.
Zapeta faces charges of first- and second-degree murder, as well as first-degree arson. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Zapeta was deported in June 2018 after illegally entering the U.S. near Sonoita, Arizona. He subsequently re-entered the country illegally at an unknown time and location.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Zapeta approaching the seated woman, who appeared to be motionless or possibly asleep, and igniting her clothing. NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as "one of the most depraved crimes imaginable." Zapeta was later apprehended on the same subway line with a lighter in his possession.
Following the charges, ICE intends to place an immigration detainer on Zapeta. The Kings County District Attorney’s office is committed to pursuing justice in this case, emphasizing the importance of subway safety for all New Yorkers. The victim's identity has not yet been publicly released.
