Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, Guatemala migrant alleged to have set female passenger on fire, killing her on a Brooklyn bound, F train id as illegal immigrant who snuck back into the United States after being deported in 2018.
The Guatemala man who is alleged to have set a sleeping woman on fire on a Brooklyn bound F train, early Sunday morning, killing her has been identified as an illegal immigrant who snuck back into country after being deported in 2018.
Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, first entered the US at the Arizona border in June, 2018, when he was arrested and deported just days later for crossing into the United States illegally, multiple sources told the nypost.
The illegal immigrant then re-entered the US at a subsequent unknown date, sneaking past US authorities. It remained how long the Guatemala migrant has been in New York.
Illegal migrant had been living in NYC shelter
However, law enforcement sources said he stayed in multiple taxpayer-funded migrant shelters in the city.
When he was issued a transit ticket in May of 2023, he gave an address of a shelter on Randall’s Island, the sources told the nypost.
The suspect does not appear to have any other previous criminal history, sources told the outlet.
At the time of his arrest, Zapeta-Calil, according to authorities had been living in a shelter. The 33 year old, come Monday was charged with murder and arson, the nypost reported.
The wanted man was picked up after sharp eyed New Yorkers recognized him later that morning as he traveled on a mid-town train after the NYPD shared surveillance images of the alleged suspect.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a press conference that the suspect used a lighter to ignite the victim’s clothing, immediately engulfing her in flames.
‘With the help of an MTA employee and fire extinguisher, the flames were put out. Unfortunately, it was too late and the victim was pronounced (dead) on the scene,’ Tisch said.
Sebastian Zepeta-Calil the illegal migrant accused of setting innocent American Citizen on fire, seen here smiling and not answering any questions. pic.twitter.com/sLeM0CxiM7
— B. Wilkins lll 🇺🇸 𓃠 (@ScummyMummy511) December 23, 2024
No known motive
The Guatemala migrant is suspected of setting the woman on fire and then watching her burn to death. The man was able to escape the scene after responding police unwittingly ushered nearby passengers to leave the scene.
Sources said the victim was found with liquor bottles strewn about her, though it was not immediately clear if the perp used them in the attack.
Prior to his arrest, the alleged perpetrator was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, a dark-colored knit hat with a red band, and brown boots. Items he was discovered wearing at the time of his arrest. In his possession, NYPD officers recovered a lighter.
Police have not identified the victim yet.
The circumstances leading up to the attack are still unclear. Authorities have indicated that the suspect and the victim appear to have been strangers, with no known connection between them.
The investigation remains ongoing. No known motive was immediately known.
