In a shocking and heartbreaking incident, a man in New York was arrested for setting a woman on fire in a subway train and watching her die. The crime, described as “one of the most depraved” by New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, took place early Sunday morning. The victim, who remains unidentified, tragically lost her life in what has been called a “senseless killing.”
It happened around 7:30 am on an F train heading to Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. According to Commissioner Tisch, the man calmly walked up to the woman, who was sitting quietly at the end of a subway car. He used a lighter to ignite her clothing, which caught fire instantly, engulfing her in flames within seconds.
As the train pulled into the station, officers on patrol smelled and saw smoke coming from the lower level of the station. Rushing to investigate, they found the horrifying scene: a person inside the subway car completely engulfed in flames. With the help of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employee and a fire extinguisher, the officers managed to put out the fire, but it was already too late. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect didn’t flee. Instead, he stayed at the station, sitting calmly on a bench just outside the train car. Officers reviewed footage from their body-worn cameras, which captured clear images of him. After the NYPD shared the suspect’s photos, three high school students recognized him and called 911. Their quick action led to the man’s arrest on another train. Officers found a lighter in his pocket.
NYPD’s Chief of Transit, Joseph Gulotta, confirmed there was no connection between the suspect and the victim. “We don’t believe they knew each other,” he said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised the high schoolers who helped alert authorities. “This type of depraved behavior has no place in our subways,” the mayor wrote on social media, promising swift justice for the victim.
The tragic incident has left the city shaken, highlighting the need for safety and vigilance in public spaces. The victim’s identity has yet to be determined, but her death has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger across the city.
Are there fire extinguishers for ppl to see to help or no