A horrific attack in New York City's subway system left a woman dead after a man allegedly set her on fire inside a train car and calmly watched her burn. The incident occurred Sunday morning around 7:30 AM on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station.
The suspect, a 33-year-old Guatemalan national, allegedly walked up to the victim who was sitting alone at the end of the car, used a lighter to set her clothes ablaze, and then watched as the flames engulfed her.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described it as "one of the most depraved crimes imaginable."
Officers at the station noticed smoke coming from the train car and rushed to help, but were unable to save the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending family notification.
Security footage shows the suspect watching the burning victim without any apparent emotion. After the attack, he sat on a nearby station bench until an officer, unaware he was the perpetrator, asked him to leave the area. He was later spotted and reported by three high school students, leading to his arrest at Herald Square station while still wearing the same clothes.
The suspect entered the U.S. from Guatemala in 2018 and was initially detained by Border Patrol in Arizona. He had been staying at a shelter on Randall's Island and had no prior criminal record except for a traffic violation.
Commissioner Tisch praised the high school students whose tip led to the arrest: "They saw something, they said something, and they acted."
Police say there appears to be no connection between the suspect and victim. The investigation is ongoing and authorities are urging any witnesses to come forward with information.
0 Comments