A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who was set on fire on a subway train in New York City over the weekend.
Authorities, including police and federal officials, have indicated that the man faces charges of murder and arson after allegedly igniting the woman on fire.
According to police, the suspect was taken into custody approximately six hours after he reportedly used a lighter to ignite the clothing of a woman who seemed to be asleep on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn.
He was officially charged with murder and arson yesterday, as confirmed by law enforcement.
Subway employees and police officers utilized fire extinguishers to put out the flames engulfing the woman.
Authorities noted that it seems there was no prior interaction between the attacker and the victim, whose identity has not been released.
The suspect is currently in custody, and it is unclear whether he has retained legal counsel. He was apprehended on a subway train on Sunday afternoon, found with a lighter in his possession, police reported. He is expected to appear in court to face the charges against him.
Subway employees and patrolling police officers acted quickly, using fire extinguishers to douse the flames that consumed the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice,” stated Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will face the most serious repercussions.”
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, they plan to initiate removal proceedings against the suspect once he is released from New York custody, which could entail a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted.
