A Guatemalan migrant has been arrested for allegedly setting a sleeping woman on fire on a Brooklyn subway train on Sunday morning. The tragic incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m. at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station, left the victim dead after the suspect watched her burn. The police have described the crime as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could commit.”
The horrifying attack took place on an idling F train. Police say the suspect calmly approached the victim, who was sitting at the end of the subway car. The man then used what is believed to be a lighter to ignite the woman’s clothing.
Within seconds, her clothes were fully engulfed in flames. The train was stationary, and the assailant watched as the victim burned. Commuters, MTA workers, and even the police were shocked by the violence. The NYPD Commissioner, Jessica Tisch, called it the loss of “an innocent New Yorker.”
Authorities responded quickly after noticing the smoke and followed it to the victim, who was already engulfed in flames. Officers were able to extinguish the fire, but the woman had tragically died by the time they reached her.
Officials later confirmed that the suspect was a 33-year-old man from Guatemala who had entered the U.S. in 2018. Border patrol agents had detained him in Arizona upon his arrival, but his legal status was unclear at the time of the incident.
The suspect had a clean criminal record in New York City, except for a transit violation in May 2023. At the time of the incident, he was living in a shelter on Randall’s Island. A disturbing video of the attack surfaced, showing the man calmly observing the victim as she burned while a transit cop walked by.
The officer did not notice the suspect at that moment. Later, the man was seen sitting on a nearby bench while officers surrounded the subway car. As the situation unfolded, the suspect appeared to pull his hood up, seemingly trying to blend in.
At the scene, police officers asked nearby witnesses if anyone had seen what had happened while smoke poured from the subway car. Unbeknownst to the responding officers, the suspect remained in the area and sat on a bench on the platform just outside the train. Body-worn cameras on the officers captured clear footage of the man, making it easier for authorities to identify him later.
Later that day, three high school students recognized the suspect from images released by the NYPD. They called 911 and reported seeing the man at the Jay and York Street station on the F line.
Transit officers responded and found the suspect on another train, wearing the same gray hoodie, wool hat, and paint-splattered pants he had been seen in during the attack. Police stopped the train at Herald Square and arrested the suspect after searching through the train cars.
When officers apprehended the suspect, they found a lighter in his pocket. Police officials praised the actions of the young witnesses who had helped by calling 911. Tisch thanked them for seeing something suspicious and acting quickly. Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta also commended the collaboration between the public and the police, which led to the arrest.
Investigators believe that the victim and the suspect did not know each other prior to the attack. In the aftermath, police, firefighters, and medical examiners were seen combing the tracks for evidence while they cordoned off the area. By early afternoon, the woman’s body was removed from the subway train and placed in a medical examiner’s van. As of now, her identity has not been revealed.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.