A tragic incident unfolded in Brooklyn, New York, as a migrant from Guatemala was arrested in connection to the heinous death of a woman who was set on fire and burned to death on a subway train. The suspect, Sebastin Zapeta, 33, had a troubling history with immigration authorities.
Zapeta was arrested by Border Patrol in 2018 after crossing illegally into Arizona and was subsequently deported by the Trump administration. However, he managed to re-enter the U.S. illegally at an undisclosed time and place.
Following the recent incident, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to lodge an immigration detainer with the NYPD once Zapeta is charged and his location is disclosed. As of now, no charges have been filed against him, and the timeline for legal proceedings remains uncertain.
The disturbing act was captured on surveillance video, showing the suspect calmly approaching the woman on a subway train and setting her on fire while she was seated, potentially asleep. The victim's clothing quickly caught fire, leading to her tragic death at the scene.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the crime as one of the most depraved acts imaginable, emphasizing the need for justice in this case. The suspect was apprehended hours later on the same subway line, carrying a lighter in his possession.
The Kings County District Attorney's office expressed a commitment to ensuring accountability and justice for the victim, vowing to pursue the case with the utmost seriousness. The office commended the NYPD for their swift action in arresting the suspect and emphasized the importance of safety for all New Yorkers on public transportation.
