Subway Attack: Man Accused of Fanning Flames

A man from Guatemala, Sebastian Zapeta, is facing serious charges after a woman died in a fire on a New York City subway train. Prosecutors say Zapeta used a shirt to fan the flames, causing the woman's death. The attack happened on an F train stopped at the Coney Island station. Zapeta, who is accused of arson and murder, didn't speak at his court hearing. His lawyer didn't ask for bail, and he will remain in jail until his next court date on Friday. The Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, called the incident a "gruesome and senseless act of violence. " Witnesses say Zapeta approached the woman, who might have been sleeping, and set her clothes on fire with a lighter. He then used a shirt to spread the flames. After that, he sat on a bench and watched the woman burn. Surveillance footage shows people looking on from the platform and a police officer walking by. The NYPD says officers responded to the fire, but it was too late to save the woman. Zapeta was caught later that day on the same subway line after teens recognized him from police images. He was previously deported in 2018 but returned to the U. S. illegally. This incident has raised concerns about subway safety in New York. While overall crime is down, murders in the transit system have increased. The subway's complexity, with 472 stations and multiple entry points, makes policing challenging. Recently, there have been several notable incidents, including the inadvertent shooting of bystanders by police. Despite these concerns, the subway remains a crucial part of the city's transportation system.