A man who set a woman on fire and watched her burn to death on a train in New York has been arrested in what has been described as a “senseless murder.” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch spoke about the incident at a press conference, defining it as “one of the most despicable crimes one human being can commit against another human being.” It cost the lives of “innocent New Yorkers.”
The incident occurred Sunday morning around 7:30 a.m. as the man and the victim were riding the F train to its final stop on Stilwell Avenue in Brooklyn.
“As the train entered the station, the suspect calmly walked up to the victim, who was sitting on the edge of the subway car. Using what appeared to be a lighter, the suspect ignited the victim’s clothing, which was fully ablaze. ‘I did it,’ and it swallowed me up in a matter of seconds,” Tish said.
A police officer patrolling the upper floors of the police station smelled the smell, saw smoke, and went to investigate. They saw a person standing inside the train car completely engulfed in flames.
“With the help of MTA personnel and fire extinguishers, the blaze was extinguished. Unfortunately, it was too late and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” Tisch added.
The suspect remained at the scene, according to the New York Police Department. The man was found sitting on a bench on the platform just outside the vehicle. Responding officers’ body-worn cameras captured detailed footage of the killer.
“After the NYPD disseminated these images, three New York residents of high school age called 911 and said they recognized the suspect,” she added.
The man was arrested from another train and a lighter was found in his pocket.
NYPD Traffic Commissioner Joseph Gulotta said there was no interaction between the victim and suspect. “I don’t think they knew each other,” he added.
The woman has not yet been identified.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday praised those who helped report the suspect to authorities.
“This type of despicable behavior has no place on the subway,” Adams said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We are committed to ensuring that all victims of violent crimes receive speedy justice.” said.
Thank you to the young New Yorkers and transit officers who stepped up to assist the NYPD in making swift arrests after this morning’s brutal and deadly subway attack.
This kind of depraved behavior should not be tolerated on the metro and we are committed to working hard to ensure that… https://t.co/TWs3iaC099
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) December 22, 2024
“Our prayers are with the families of the victims of this senseless killing,” he added.
