A Guatemalan man accused of setting a woman on fire on an NYC subway train has been indicted for first-degree murder and arson. The attack, caught on video, has reignited debates on safety on public transport and immigration. Prosecutors seek life without parole for Sebastian Zapeta-Calil.
The man accused of killing a woman by lighting her on fire on a New York City subway on Sunday morning was indicted on four counts of murder, including in the first degree, and one count of arson this Friday, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
Originally from Guatemala, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, is accused of setting fire to a woman while she was sleeping on a stationary F train at the Stillwell Avenue Subway Station. The victim, who is believed to have been homeless, is yet to be identified.
NYPD said Zapeta-Calil approached the sleeping woman silently before igniting flames that engulfed her “in a matter of seconds.” The senseless act was caught on video and shows the suspect fanning the flames by waving his shirt around the woman as she continues to burn alive.
Zapeta-Calil is scheduled to go on trial at Kings County Supreme Court on 7 January 2025. If convicted, the suspect can expect to be sentenced to life without parole
“These are significant counts. Murder in the first degree carries the possibility of life without parole. It’s the most serious statute in New York state law, and my office is very confident about the evidence in the case and to hold Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds,” Gonzalez said.
The New York City Office of the Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s cause of death as a homicide by “thermal injuries” and “smoke inhalation”, according to the complaint filed in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
As an undocumented migrant who was previously deported from the U.S. in 2018 before later re-entering illegally, Zapeta-Calil has ignited anti-immigration sentiment among some commentators.
“Biden, Harris and anyone who has supported open borders are responsible for this. The damage and costs to our medical and education systems will be incalculable,” wrote one X account holder.
The incident has also heightened discussions around public safety on New York transit, with many civilians, particularly women, taking to social media to express fear and past dangerous encounters while riding the subway.
One X user wrote, “12 years ago I was on the 7 train and a creep groped me and tried to sit on my lap. I pushed him off and landed a few kicks and yelled abuses. NO ONE in the train car even acknowledged anything was happening, much less come to my rescue. The attitude was always there. We're just discussing how much worse it's got.”
In April, a man was arrested for punching a nine-year-old girl in the face at Grand Central Terminal. Forbes reported a 13.1% increase in crime in New York City transit as of 3 March this year compared to the same period last year.
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised ad...
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukraini...
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral tr...
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms coul...
On September 23 and 24, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev conducted a series of high-level meetings at the United Nations headquarters in New York, engaging with prominent international leaders to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties.
Former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is setting up a comeback try for NYC mayor.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment