A woman was tragically killed Sunday morning on a New York City subway train after a man set her clothing on fire in what authorities have condemned as a “brutal murder” and an act of “depraved behavior”.
The attack occurred around 7:30AM on an F train bound for Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. Police said the suspect – a Guatemalan immigrant whose name has not been released – approached the victim without speaking, ignited her clothing, and watched as she became engulfed in flames.
CNN reports that the victim – who also has not been identified – was “motionless” when the assailant began the attack, according to the NYPD. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect seated on a station bench calmly observing as police officers responded.
“Unbeknownst to the officers who responded, the suspect had stayed on the scene and was seated on a bench on the platform just outside the train car,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained during a press conference. “The body-worn cameras on the responding officers produced a very clear, detailed look at the killer.”
The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended roughly eight hours later at the 34th Street–Herald Square station in Manhattan. Officers identified him from images shared with the public, including body camera footage and surveillance images.
A group of high school students recognized the suspect and contacted the police later in the day.
“Our officers in District Two stopped that train in Herald Square, and [were] able to keep the doors closed, walk the train, and place this very dangerous individual in custody,” said NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta.
The suspect was found carrying a lighter at the time of his arrest. Charges are pending, and the investigation is ongoing.
Victim and Suspect Believed To Have No Known Connection
Surveillance footage from inside the subway car reportedly shows the suspect igniting a blanket draped over the victim, with the fire spreading rapidly. The flames eventually caused the victim to stand, fully engulfed.
The New York Post reports that a witness video later shared to social media shows the suspect sitting and watching as the victim was engulfed in flames.
Another video shows an officers shouting, “Did anybody see anything? Did anybody see anything?” as smoke engulfed subway car.
Officers extinguished the flames, but the woman died at the scene.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence the victim and the suspect knew each other, and no other passengers or responders were injured during the incident.
The NYPD praised the swift work of officers and the role of technology in apprehending the suspect. “The key thing was getting the identification through the body-worn cameras,” said Michael Kemper, chief security officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Crime Stoppers had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Mayor and Governor Respond to Tragedy
New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned the attack and commended the individuals who alerted authorities to the suspect.
“This type of depraved behavior has no place in our subways, and we are committed to working hard to ensure there is swift justice for all victims of violent crime,” Adams said in a statement.
The tragedy comes days after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced enhanced subway safety measures ahead of the holidays. These include deploying 250 additional National Guard members and outfitting every subway car with security cameras.
The “brutal murder” was captured on one of these cameras, according to Hochul’s office, which noted that subway crime has declined by 10% since May and 42% since January 2021.
Subway Violence Raises Concerns
Sunday’s horrific attack marked the second subway death that day. Hours earlier, at around 12:35AM, a man was fatally stabbed, and another injured, on a southbound 7 train in Queens.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with that incident, though authorities have not yet released his identity.
Despite overall reductions in subway crime, high-profile violent incidents continue to raise alarm among New York City residents. Advocates also note that many homeless individuals, often vulnerable during freezing temperatures, turn to the subway system for shelter, heightening the need for both safety and support measures.
The NYPD plans to release additional details about the investigation Monday morning. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
Our thoughts go out to any person impacted by this horrible tragedy.