New York, United States

New York police on Monday (Dec 23) charged a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen in the horrific subway immolation murder case. The illegal migrant identified as Sebastian Zapeta had allegedly set a sleeping woman on fire over the weekend. He has been charged with murder and arson, said the police.

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'Gruesome and senseless' crime

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez expressed outrage over the crime, calling it "gruesome and senseless." 

In a statement, he said, "The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice".

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He pledged to seek the most severe consequences available under the law, stating, "This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences."

Who is Sebastian Zapeta?

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According to the US Department of Homeland, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who illegally entered America in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala a few days later.

Zapeta faces charges of murder and arson, and if convicted, he could receive a lengthy prison sentence. Federal authorities have said they intend to remove him from the US whenever he is released from New York custody.

What happened?

At around 7:30 am local time on Sunday (Dec 22), the suspect, as per reports, approached the victim in a train car. Both were riding an F line train at Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

The suspect intentionally set the victim, who was "motionless," on fire before fleeing the scene. He used a lighter to ignite the victim's clothing, "which became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds," said Tisch.

The lighter was later found in his pocket.

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The fire was put out; however, first responders declared the victim dead at the scene.

Police have yet to identify the victim by name. 

The "brutal murder" was captured on a security camera inside the subway car, said Michael Kemper, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s chief security officer.

(With inputs from agencies)