What's New
The illegal immigrant accused of killing a woman by setting her on fire on the New York City subway was awaiting arraignment Tuesday, as the victim's identity remains unknown.
Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, is charged with murder after the horrific incident unfolded on an F train in Brooklyn on Sunday. Immigration officials told Newsweek he had previously been deported.
The Context
Zapeta-Calil's immigration status quickly became a focus for those posting about the incident online, once the New York City Police Department shared a body-worn camera image of the man they wanted to speak with.
While previously deported in 2018, during President-elect Donald Trump's previous term in the White House, Zapeta-Calil's ability to reenter the country at an unknown date and location added to accusations that President Joe Biden's border policies were to blame.
Who is Sebastian Zapeta?
Zapeta-Calil is a Guatemalan national who entered the United States illegally on June 1, 2018, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He was detained by the border patrol in Sonoita, Arizona, and officials quickly issued an order of expedited removal.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) sent Zapeta-Calil back to Guatemala a week later, on June 7, 2018.
An ICE official told Newsweek Monday that it was unclear when Zapeta-Calil returned to the U.S. or how he reentered the country.
It was reported by NewsNation that Zapeta-Calil was flagged to authorities in New York in February 2023, but no arrests or convictions were made at the time.
What Happened on the Subway in New York?
On Sunday, December 22, Zapeta-Calil allegedly walked up to an as-yet-unidentified woman on an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn and set her clothes on fire. The flames quickly engulfed her, as could be seen in videos shared on social media.
The suspect then allegedly walked out of the train car and sat on a bench on the platform, watching, as police walked by, looking for the source of a smoke smell. When the NYPD discovered the woman, they told those nearby to clear the area and Zapeta-Calil reportedly walked away, with his face caught on camera.
Police circulated the photo on social media, and high schoolers spotted him on another F train later in the day, headed for Manhattan. The NYPD then boarded the train at 34 St-Herald Square and detained the suspect.
The NYPD told Newsweek that Zapeta-Calil was charged with murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree, as well as arson. They also gave his last known address as an outpatient treatment program called Samaritan Daytop Village in Brooklyn, which offers various treatments for substance abuse and mental health issues.
Newsweek reached out to the organization for comment Tuesday morning via email.
Who Was the Woman Set on Fire?
The identity of the woman who died on the F train remained unknown Tuesday morning.
Video surveillance footage indicated that the woman potentially had mobility issues, as there was a walker nearby. CNN reported that she was wearing multiple layers of clothing, which may have accelerated the fire's spread.
There have been reports that she was homeless, but officials were yet to confirm this as of Tuesday morning.
Who is Amelia Carter? Fake identity explained
Social media posts claiming the victim's identity as Amelia Carter spread quickly on Monday, despite a lack of confirmation from officials.
The seemingly AI-generated photo of the young woman was shared by multiple accounts, with many asking why officials were not saying her name. Multiple reports have indicated the victim was homeless and likely older than the image shown.
What People Are Saying
ICE spokesperson Marie Ferguson, in a statement to Newsweek: "The New York City Police Department arrested Zapeta as part of its investigation into the murder of a woman on a subway in Coney Island, New York. Once he is charged and a holding location is released, ERO will lodge an immigration detainer with the NYPD location where he is being held."
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in a statement to Newsweek: "The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice. This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences."
New York City Councilmember for Coney Island, Justin Brannan, on X: "This gruesome incident is a tragic culmination of multiple broken, failed systems that we are experiencing as a city, state, and nation: immigration, housing and homelessness, mental health, and crime and safety on our subways."
What's Next
The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said Tuesday it was waiting for an arraignment hearing to be scheduled for Zapeta-Calil, after which the criminal complaint against him would be made public.
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