NEW YORK – Authorities are revealing extra particulars surrounding the killing of a woman who was set on fire while sleeping on the New York City subway.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, faces first- and second-degree murder and arson charges for allegedly setting the girl on fireplace on the F practice in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on Sunday.
Zapeta was arraigned Tuesday in Brooklyn Criminal Court after being arrested Sunday evening. Zapeta was sporting a white Tyvek go well with throughout his court docket look Tuesday.
He was remanded into custody with out bail. His lawyer did not communicate to reporters after the arraignment.
He’s due again in court docket Friday.
Suspect fanned the flames with a shirt, authorities mentioned
According to the prison criticism, Zapeta allegedly set the unidentified girl’s garments on fireplace, after which fanned the flames by waving a shirt round her, which induced the flames to completely engulf her. Authorities say they’ve police physique digital camera footage, surveillance footage from throughout the subway automobile, and witness statements concerning the incident.
Woman set on fireplace within the subway stays unidentified
So far, authorities haven’t launched any details about the sufferer within the case. In the prison criticism, officers say she stays unidentified, and so they consult with her as Jane Doe. The medical expert’s workplace says she died of her burn accidents and smoke inhalation, in response to the prison criticism.
Police said Zapeta and the victim didn’t know one another and had no interactions earlier than the killing.
Suspect was within the nation illegally
As for Zapeta, authorities say he entered the nation illegally in 2018, and was caught and deported. He returned to the U.S. illegally someday since then, authorities mentioned. Authorities say he had a lighter in his pocket when he was caught after the girl was killed. He lives at a males’s shelter in East New York, authorities mentioned.
“The depravity of this horrific crime is past comprehension, and my workplace is dedicated to bringing the perpetrator to justice. This ugly and mindless act of violence towards a susceptible girl will probably be met with essentially the most critical penalties,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez mentioned in a press release.
