A man accused of setting a sleeping woman on fire inside a New York City subway train is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to face murder and arson charges. The incident took place at Brooklyn's Coney Island station on Dec. 22, resulting in the tragic death of a 57-year-old woman.
According to prosecutors, the suspect, a 33-year-old individual, allegedly ignited the victim with flames while she was asleep on a stopped F train. He then proceeded to fan the fire with a shirt before calmly sitting on a platform bench and observing as the victim burned. The suspect, who admitted to being the person captured in surveillance footage, claimed that he was heavily intoxicated and had no recollection of the events.
The accused, identified as a Guatemalan citizen who re-entered the country illegally after being deported in 2018, is facing multiple charges of murder and arson. The most severe charge carries a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole. While the suspect had previously been arraigned on a criminal complaint, a grand jury indictment was necessary for the case to proceed to trial.
Following the indictment, the suspect's defense attorney declined to provide any comments on the matter. The tragic incident has sparked concerns about safety within the city's transit system, despite a decrease in overall transit crime for the second consecutive year. Recent police data revealed a 5.4% reduction in transit-related crimes compared to the previous year, with a 3% decline in major crimes citywide.
Despite the statistical improvements, the city's Police Commissioner expressed that many riders still feel unsafe while using public transportation. In response to these concerns, the department announced plans to deploy over 200 additional officers onto subway trains and increase police presence at the 50 stations with the highest crime rates. The Commissioner emphasized the importance of focusing law enforcement efforts on trains and platforms, where the majority of transit-related crimes occur.
As the city grapples with this tragic incident and ongoing safety concerns, law enforcement officials are taking proactive measures to enhance security and ensure the well-being of commuters using the subway system.
