The immolation was determined to have been a random attack, and authorities were still working to identify the victim as of December 25. The incident has led to heightened concerns relating to safety while using transportation in New York City.
Incident
At approximately 7:30 a.m. EST on December 22, 2024,[4][5] on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station, a man approached the only other passenger on the train car, a woman,[6] using a lighter to set fire to her clothing. The victim became engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds.[7][8]
After carrying out the attack, the perpetrator got off the train car but remained at the scene. A video taken by a bystander shows a man, later identified as Zapeta-Calil, sitting on a nearby bench watching the fire before standing up and appearing to fan the flames using a T-shirt.[9]
Body cameras worn by officers responding to the scene captured him on a bench opposite the car. He was not immediately identified as the suspected perpetrator, however, and was able to leave the scene. Images from the video were later circulated to identify him. A Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire,[10] but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:48 a.m.[11][7][12]
Zapeta-Calil was arrested at Herald Square station after three high school students recognized him on another subway train and called 911.[13][14][15][4] At the time of his arrest, he was found possessing a lighter.[16][17]
As of December 24, police were still working to identify the victim.[18][19][20] Authorities have described her as homeless.[12] The victim was falsely identified as Amelia Carter online, with AI-generated images accompanying her name.[21][22] In an autopsy carried out on the victim, a medical examiner determined that the victim's cause of death was heat-related burns as well as smoke inhalation.[23]
Suspect
Sebastian Zapeta-Calil
Born
1991-1992
Nationality
Guatemalan
Known for
2024 New York City Subway immolation
Motive
Unprovoked
Details
Victims
1
Date
December 22, 2024
Weapon
Lighter and match
The primary suspect was identified as 33-year-old Guatemalan[2] Sebastian Zapeta-Calil,[24][25] who illegally immigrated to the United States after being extradited in 2018 as a result of attempting to enter through the Arizona-Mexico border.[26][3] It is unknown how long Zapeta-Calil has been in the United States.[25]
Shortly after the incident, Zapeta-Calil was arrested and formally charged with first-degree and second-degree murder with an additional arson charge.[27] Zapeta-Calil was also transferred to a hospital late on December 23 but was released the following day.[23] Authorities said that the suspect and the woman were unrelated and that the attack was likely unprovoked.[28][29][30] On December 24, Zapeta-Calil was arraigned and entered no plea.[31][8][32] During the arraignment, the prosecutor stated that Zapeta-Calil had told police he had been drinking heavily and didn't remember what had happened.[31]
Reactions
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated, via X, that "This type of depraved behavior has no place in our subways and we are committed to working hard to ensure there is swift justice for all victims of violent crime".[33] He thanked the bystanders who reported the suspect to the police.[34] Commissioner for the New York Police Department Jessica Tisch stated that the immolation was "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being."[35]Tom Homan, who was the incoming border czar at the time of the attack, criticized Eric Adams and Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, for making New York City a "sanctuary for illegal immigrants."[36]
Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn District Attorney, stated, "This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences."[37]
Many people online expressed outrage at the several New York City Police Department officers who stood outside of the train and watched as the victim burned.[38]
