Suspect in New York City subway rider’s fatal fire claims memory loss for incident

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan citizen in the United States illegally, is accused of killing a woman on a New York City subway train by setting her on fire. Zapeta-Calil, who admitted to heavy drinking and claimed to have no memory of the incident, appeared in court and was formally charged with murder and arson. The victim, who remains unidentified, was asleep on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station when she was set on fire with a lighter. Zapeta-Calil allegedly fanned the flames with a shirt. The suspect, who used a translator in court, did not make any comments and was held without bail with his next court date scheduled for Friday. The Medical Examiner determined the woman’s death was a homicide due to thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. Melissa Colorado reported this news for NBC New York, with David K. Li as the Senior Breaking News Reporter and contributions from Yasmeen Persaud. The case has shocked the community and raised questions about public safety on the subway system.

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