What we know about the murder-arson suspect who allegedly set a woman on fire on the New York subway

CNN
—

Prosecutors on Monday charged Sebastian Sapeta-Kalil, 33, with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree arson in connection with the death of a woman who died after being set on fire. on a New York subway train the day before.

The incident heightened existing concerns about safety and disorder in the subway, given a worrying trend of recent random attacks, and drew attention to several issues that major cities like New York have faced for years, such as homelessness, illegal immigration and abuse psychoactive substances.

Police said the suspect silently approached the victim before setting her clothes on fire, causing her to become engulfed in flames “within seconds”. Surveillance video shows the suspect watching the victim burn from a bench near a subway car.

Here’s what we know about the act, which authorities describe as a “brutal murder” and points to “lewd behavior.”

Zapeta-Kalil, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, was deported in 2018 and later returned to the U.S. illegally, according to federal immigration officials. His last address in the arrest report was listed as a homeless shelter in Brooklyn for men struggling with substance abuse, the New York Police Department said.

CNN reached out to the homeless shelter and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office for comment, but did not hear back.

Zapeta-Kalil is awaiting arraignment, which could happen in the near future Tuesday.

The U.S. Border Patrol met Zapeta-Kalil in Sonoita, Arizona on June 1, 2018, and issued him an expedited removal order. He was sent back to Guatemala six days later, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Jeff Carter. Zapeta-Kalil later re-entered the United States illegally at an unknown date and location, officials said.

“It appears that he was a migrant who was taken out of the country and then brought back into the country,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Fox 5 New York. “This is a country of immigrants … But those who violate that aspiration, we must immediately remove from our country.”

The attack happened around 7:30 a.m. on the F train as it approached the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn.

Investigators initially suspected the fire was accidental after liquor bottles were found near the victim, sources said. After reviewing CCTV footage from the metro car, the police noticed the suspect sitting across from the sleeping victim – there were only the two of them in the car. The suspect then got up and set fire to his clothes and the blanket she was using.

The suspect exits the train and sits on a bench on the platform as he watches the woman burn, according to surveillance footage. Sources indicate that she did not respond until she was completely engulfed in flames.

Sources said the victim had mobility issues, as evidenced by a walker found at the scene, and was wearing several layers of clothing, which officials believe may have accelerated the spread of the fire.

The NYPD confirmed that the woman involved in the incident is an adult over the age of 18. Although her identity has not yet been established, she appeared to be homeless, according to a law enforcement representative. said the New York Times.

Other passengers and rescuers were not injured.

About eight hours after surveillance images and police body cameras were released, three high school students identified the suspect on a Manhattan subway train, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Sunday.

Officers stopped the train at Herald Square and searched each car to arrest the suspect, who was found with a lighter in his pocket, NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta said.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $10,000 for information on the case.

In response to the recent attack, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez issued a statement condemning the incident.

“This horrific and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will have the most serious consequences,” he said. said

On Sunday, Adams acknowledged the efforts of those who tipped off authorities about the suspect.

“This type of lewd behavior has no place in our metros, and we are committed to working hard to ensure swift justice for all victims of violent crime,” Adams said in post on X.

The city was declared a “code blue” Saturday night, with additional resources and shelters deployed to help those at risk of freezing, especially the homeless, who may seek shelter in the subway during the severe weather.

A statement from New York Gov. Cathy Hochul’s office said crime has dropped 10 percent since the governor introduced a subway safety initiative in May, and 42 percent since January 2021. But numerous high-profile cases of violence continue to cause concern. among residents regarding their safety in the subway.

The killing was the second fatality in the metro on Sunday. Earlier that day, at about 12:35 a.m., another stabbing on the southbound 7 train at the 61 St-Woodside station in Queens left one person dead and another injured. This is reported by CNN affiliate WABC.

In light of security concerns ahead of the holidays, Hochul announced plans to beef up subway security, including bringing in 250 additional National Guard soldiers and equipping every subway car with surveillance cameras.

CNN’s Michelle Watson contributed to this report.