NEW YORK — A man has been arrested and charged with the shocking crime of setting a woman on fire in a subway station in New York City. He made his first court appearance this week while authorities continue to investigate the identity of the victim.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was arraigned on murder and arson charges on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn. He has been ordered to stay in custody without entering a plea, and his attorney chose not to speak to the media. His next court date is scheduled for Friday.

According to officials, Zapeta, who is believed to be an undocumented Guatemalan citizen, approached the woman on a stopped F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station on Sunday morning and set her clothing ablaze.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could commit against another.”

Here’s what we know:

Details about the Suspect

Zapeta was arrested on the same day the police released images of a suspect to the public.

According to law enforcement, three high school students recognized Zapeta from the images and called 911, leading to his discovery on another subway train, still wearing the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants, and tan boots.

Jeff Carter, a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, confirmed that Zapeta had been deported to Guatemala in 2018 and had since re-entered the U.S. illegally, although details about how he did so remain unclear.

During his arraignment on Tuesday, Zapeta appeared in a white jumpsuit and remained silent throughout the proceedings.

Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg claimed in court that Zapeta set the woman’s clothing on fire and then used a shirt to fan the flames.

Rottenberg also stated that during questioning, Zapeta claimed to have no memory of the incident due to alcohol consumption, but he allegedly recognized himself in video footage from the attack.

Police noted that Zapeta’s address in Brooklyn is linked to a service center operated by Samaritan Daytop Village, which provides housing and substance abuse support. The organization has not yet commented on the situation.

Information on the Victim

As of Thursday, the victim has not been publicly identified, with the NYPD stating she is only known as a woman.

Commissioner Tisch mentioned at a press conference that the victim was “in a seated position” at the end of the train car during the attack. Joseph Gulotta, the chief of transit, indicated that it appeared the suspect and victim were strangers who had no prior encounters.

Subway Police Presence

Although police are present throughout the subway system and a robust network of surveillance cameras operates in both stations and trains, the sheer scale of the network—comprising 472 stations and millions of daily passengers—makes thorough policing a challenge.

On the day of the incident, officers were patrolling a different platform at the station. They responded after detecting smoke and hearing disturbances.

Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered members of the National Guard to assist with random bag inspections at select subway stations to improve safety.

Current Crime Trends in the Subway

Reports of violent incidents in the subway often heighten passenger anxiety, particularly as many New Yorkers depend on trains daily and have faced their own unsettling experiences.

However, overall crime within the transit system has decreased this year compared to the same period in 2022. According to data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, major felonies have dropped by 6% from January to November this year compared to last year.

Despite this decline, the number of murders within the subway has risen, with nine reported killings this year through November, compared to five during the same timeframe last year.

High-profile incidents often attract national attention, further unsettling commuters. Recently, military veteran Daniel Penny was acquitted of homicide after placing an agitated subway rider in a chokehold.

“These incidents overshadow the progress being made and affect New Yorkers’ perception of safety,” stated New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a recent interview, highlighting that many high-profile incidents in the transit system involve individuals facing mental health challenges.