Man Accused of Setting Woman on Fire in NYC Subway Claims to Have No Memory of Incident

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old man facing charges of murder and arson, allegedly admitted to authorities that he does not recollect the tragic events of December 22, when a woman perished after being set ablaze on a New York City subway, according to NBC News.

Prosecutors allege that Zapeta-Calil used a lighter to ignite a blanket under which the victim, whose identity remains unrevealed, was resting aboard a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station. Surveillance footage captured the harrowing moment, showing Zapeta-Calil, seated across from the sleeping woman, setting her and the blanket aflame. Shockingly, he then fanned the growing fire with a shirt before leaving the train to sit on a nearby bench, observing the unfolding inferno, prosecutors revealed during his arraignment on December 24.

The footage also indicated that the victim, believed to be homeless, remained unconscious throughout the ordeal. Found nearby was a walker, suggesting mobility challenges. She was dressed in multiple layers, which authorities believe contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The New York City Office of the Medical Examiner determined that her death resulted from "thermal injuries and smoke inhalation," officially classifying it as a homicide.

Zapeta-Calil, who is reported to have told investigators that he "drinks a lot of liquor" and could not recall the incident, was apprehended following public identification. Surveillance images released by authorities led three high school students to recognize him. He was later located at a Herald Square train station, carrying a lighter in his possession.

During the court hearing, Zapeta-Calil was arraigned on charges of first- and second-degree murder, along with arson. He entered a plea of not guilty and was remanded without bail. Wearing what appeared to be the same hazmat suit he donned while being escorted from a police precinct, he is scheduled to return to court on December 27.

Officials confirmed that Zapeta-Calil is an "unlawfully present Guatemalan citizen" who had been deported in 2018. PEOPLE has reached out to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner for further comments.

This deeply unsettling case has left the community grappling with its shock, raising significant concerns about safety on public transportation and the underlying factors leading to such violence.