[A subway train operating; Photo Credit: Pixabay]

On December 22nd, 2024, a female passenger on a NYC subway train perished after being set on fire around 7:30 am.

Authorities have identified the perpetrator as Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally within the past 6 years.

Zapeta-Calil was charged with first and second-degree murder and first-degree arson on Monday (Dec. 23rd).

According to witnesses at the scene, the woman was trapped inside a fully engulfed subway train. 

Despite emergency responders quickly extinguishing the fire, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The police department noted that she remained motionless when the suspect approached her, leading to speculation that she may have been asleep at the time of the attack.

Investigators discovered alcohol bottles around the woman, which reportedly contributed to the quick spread of the fire.

Additionally, police found a walker at the scene, hinting that the victim had mobility issues.

Records show that Zapeta-Calil had previously encountered border control on June 1st, 2018.

According to CNN, he was detained and deported to Guatemala but had reportedly reentered the country undetected, as noted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The arrest came following a call made to 911 by three high school students who reported a possible sighting of the suspect.

Officers subsequently located Zapeta-Calil at Herald Square station in Manhattan, where they found a lighter in his possession.

The unusual nature of the crime has shocked communities worldwide.

Local middle schooler stated, “It is impossible to believe the method of crime this guy used. This act goes against both humanity and morality far more than other methods. Just one question I have is, why on earth would anyone choose to do this?”

A junior in college, referred, “As a resident in New York, I feel very unsafe right now. Despite the efforts I know will be put towards improving the current situation, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to roam around freely. I really hope such crimes will never occur again.”

Countering this, Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn District Attorney, stated, “Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe on our subways, and we will do everything in our power to ensure accountability in this case. I commend the NYPD for their swift work in apprehending the suspect.”

A freshman in high school mentioned, “I hope this incident can serve as a time of realization of how our society is changing. These crimes are becoming increasingly unethical and concerning.”

This incident has left a profound impact on society, raising serious concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement.