Man Sets Woman on Fire in NYC Subway and Watches Her Burn, NYPD Officer’s Inaction Sparks Public Fury

Disturbing footage has emerged from a Brooklyn subway station, showing a woman burning to death while a nearby police officer seemingly ignores the horrific scene. The chilling incident occurred early Sunday morning at the Stillwell Avenue station, as 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a migrant from Guatemala, allegedly set the woman on fire while she slept on the F train.

In the heart-wrenching videos, Zapeta-Calil can be seen sitting calmly on the platform, watching the victim, who is engulfed in flames. One clip even shows the suspect fanning the fire as the woman, visibly distressed, leans against the subway car, completely consumed by the blaze. Other subway riders can be seen filming the horrifying event on their phones, yet the police response raises serious questions.

Amidst the chaos, an NYPD officer appears to walk past the scene, casually waving his hand in apparent exasperation but failing to intervene, neither detaining the suspect nor assisting the woman. This disturbing footage has sparked outrage across social media, with many criticizing the officers for their failure to act.

“Police officer walks by. Doesn’t take his jacket off to smother the flames. Not his problem. Guess he doesn’t get paid too much. Can we find out who he is? His behavior is shameful,” one user wrote on X. Another commenter said, “I don’t know which is more wild—the fact she’s on fire and just standing there, or the cop who just walked by like all was normal.”

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the incident in a press conference, defending the officers’ actions by stating that they were unaware of the suspect’s presence at the scene. “The officers who responded were not aware that the suspect was still there at the time,” she explained.

However, many have questioned the police response, calling it “cowardly” and “shameful.” One social media user suggested the officer involved should face consequences, stating, “The cop should go to jail for not helping. This is the oath they take. Coward.”

The suspect, Zapeta-Calil, remained at the scene after the attack, sitting on a bench outside the train car. It wasn’t until a group of high schoolers recognized him from police photos that his location was reported. MTA officials stopped the F train at Herald Square in Manhattan, where officers boarded the train and apprehended Zapeta-Calil, who was sitting among passengers.

During the investigation, Commissioner Tisch revealed more details about the incident. She explained that Zapeta-Calil approached the victim, who was seated at the end of the train car, and used a lighter to set her clothes on fire. The flames spread rapidly, and the victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, tragically died at the scene. Despite the swift response from officers and an MTA employee using a fire extinguisher, it was too late to save her.

The attack has left the local community reeling. Police reports confirm that Zapeta-Calil did not know the victim, further intensifying the horror of the crime. Authorities have also disclosed that the suspect, who was wearing distinctive clothing during the attack, was apprehended with a lighter in his pocket, which corroborates witness accounts.

The victim’s identity remains undisclosed, and police have yet to charge Zapeta-Calil formally. This shocking incident has sparked widespread debate about police responsibility and the effectiveness of public safety protocols in handling life-threatening emergencies.

As the investigation continues, the incident has fueled a growing conversation about police accountability and the failure to intervene in life-or-death situations. Community leaders and activists are calling for an in-depth review of the officers’ actions and for greater accountability in cases of police inaction.

The NYPD’s handling of the situation, along with Zapeta-Calil’s actions, raises crucial questions about the state of public safety and police preparedness in the face of extreme violence. As more details emerge, the case is sure to keep both the public and law enforcement on edge, demanding answers and accountability for a life tragically lost.