Woman's burning death on NYC subway prompts call for justice, additional charges
NEW YORK -- A vigil was held Thursday for the woman who was lit on fire and killed on a New York City subway train last weekend.
Although the police haven't yet publicly identified the victim, the community in Coney Island, Brooklyn is working to honor her memory.
"Her life mattered"
Civil rights and religious leaders, as well as various organizations including the Homeless Coalition and Passengers United, gathered at the Stillwell Avenue station to condemn the violence that played out on an F train on Sunday morning.
"Her life mattered," the Rev. Kevin McCall said. "Thank God they caught the person that did this. But it's not just the person's fault, it's the system's fault. The system failed."
McCall took the city to task, saying there were no fire extinguishers on the train and claims the responding officer had no support.
However, NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta said during a news conference on Sunday that several officers responded, and he praised their efforts.
"I think he did his job perfectly, as his fellow officers went and got MTA workers got fire extinguishers, and eventually were able to extinguish the individual," Gulotta said.
McCall is asking anyone who may know who the victim is to come forward.
"Burned up so bad police can't identify who she is, so [we are] calling on New Yorkers, if you know who she is, call police department. This may be your loved one," McCall said.
What allegedly happened on Sunday
Investigators say 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who ICE officials say entered the U.S. illegally, used a lighter to set the sleeping woman's clothes on fire. Police are still trying to figure out a motive.
According to the criminal complaint, Zapeta used a shirt to fan the flames as they engulfed the victim in seconds, killing her. An image appears to show the accused sitting on a platform bench watching the woman burn as an officer walks by not realizing he is passing the suspect.
However, that officer's body camera took a clear image, which officials say led to an arrest a few hours later.
Mayor Adams pushing the feds to charge the suspect
Zapeta is charged with murder and arson. He will be back in court on Friday.
Mayor Eric Adams' office said he is now pushing for federal charges against Zapeta, saying in a statement, in part, "Lighting another human being on fire and watching them burn alive reflects a level of evil that cannot be tolerated."
Community leaders, however, say jail is not the answer and are instead pushing for more services devoted to mental health.
"It's not enough that the perpetrator was caught then nothing put in place so this doesn't happen again," a member of the group Stronger Together said.