A man faces charges for allegedly setting a woman on fire in a Brooklyn subway, leading to her death in a shocking act of violence
Prosecutors say Zapeta, 33, was caught on surveillance video lighting the fire. He reportedly claimed he didn’t know what was going on, even though he was clearly seen in the footage.
He’s currently being held at Rikers Island, and the details of his indictment are under wraps until his arraignment. It’s standard procedure in New York.
According to the authorities, Zapeta approached the woman, who might have been asleep, and set her clothes on fire with a lighter. He then fanned the flames with a shirt while just sitting there and watching.
Sadly, the woman hasn’t been identified yet. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called this act “malicious,” emphasizing how vulnerable the victim was.
Zapeta faces multiple murder charges and an arson charge, with the top count potentially leading to life in prison without parole. The indictment will be made public on January 7.
He wasn’t at the hearing, and his lawyer didn’t have any comments afterward. Meanwhile, officials are working hard to identify the victim using fingerprints and DNA.
Gonzalez expressed sympathy for the victim and her family, noting that just because someone appears homeless doesn’t mean they don’t have loved ones who are grieving.
Interestingly, a Brooklyn address linked to Zapeta matches a shelter that offers housing and support for substance abuse. He had been deported in 2018 but returned to the U.S. illegally later on.
Gonzalez is confident that the local jury will understand the severity of this crime, as it took place right in Brooklyn.