New York City police announced Sunday they have taken into custody a suspect in the horrifying death of a woman found on fire aboard a stationary subway car. Investigators believe the victim, who may have been asleep, was deliberately set ablaze by a man she did not know.
Transit officers detained the suspect after three high school students reported recognizing him from widely distributed surveillance footage. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the public’s involvement in the case, calling it “one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being.”
A Shocking Attack in Brooklyn
The incident occurred early Sunday morning when the suspect and the victim, neither of whom has been identified, rode a subway train to the end of the line in Brooklyn. Surveillance footage captured the man calmly approaching the woman, who appeared motionless and possibly asleep, and setting her clothing on fire with a lighter.
“The victim’s clothing became fully engulfed in flames within seconds,” Tisch said. Police do not believe the suspect and the victim knew each other.
Officers patrolling the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station discovered the woman on fire after noticing smoke coming from the train. Emergency medical personnel declared her dead at the scene.
Suspect Caught with Help from Surveillance and Public Tips
Unbeknownst to the officers at the time, the suspect lingered at the scene, sitting on a bench on the subway platform just outside the train car. Footage from police body cameras provided a clear image of the suspect, which was later disseminated to the public.
The breakthrough came when three teenagers recognized the suspect from the footage and alerted authorities. Transit officers later located the man on another subway train, where he was apprehended without incident. A lighter was found in his possession, according to Tisch.
Second Subway Fatality Reported on Same Day
In a separate incident early Sunday, police responded to an assault at the 61st Street-Woodside Station in Queens. They discovered two men suffering from stab wounds: a 37-year-old who was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital and a 26-year-old who is in stable condition. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
Increased Security Measures in NYC Subways
The recent attacks highlight ongoing safety concerns within the city’s subway system. Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul deployed National Guard members to assist with security, conducting random bag searches and patrolling train stations.
Additionally, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been equipping subway cars with surveillance cameras. Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper credited these cameras with aiding the swift identification and apprehension of the suspect in the subway fire case.
“The cameras have proven invaluable in ensuring the safety of our passengers,” Kemper said, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance during the holiday season.
As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the backgrounds of both the victim and the suspect while addressing broader safety concerns in the city’s transit system
