The man charged with murder in the arson attack on a New York subway car is living in the United States illegally and has been deported, federal authorities said.
Guatemalan national Sebastian Zapeta Khalil, 33, was taken into custody by New York police in connection with Sunday’s attack, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.
He entered Sonoita, Arizona, on June 1, 2018, was deported from the United States, and returned to Guatemala a few days later on June 7, 2018, according to ICE.
ICE said it is unclear when or where Zapeta Khalil illegally reentered the country.
The man, who lived in Brooklyn, was charged Monday with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and first-degree arson in the subway death, New York City police said.
It was not immediately clear Monday afternoon whether Zapeta Khalil had an attorney.
Federal officials said they plan to apply to ICE for Zapeta Khalil’s extradition after the criminal case against him is concluded. The immigration officer may allow him to be deported.
Around 7:30 a.m. Sunday, an unidentified woman was sleeping on a stopped F train at the Stilwell Avenue subway station when a man set her on fire with a lighter, police said.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect was sitting on a bench on the platform after exiting the subway, and an officer’s body camera captured a clear image of him, which was posted on a wanted flyer. It was announced through.
“Unbeknownst to the responding officers, the suspect remained at the scene, sitting on a bench on the platform just outside the vehicle. The responding officers’ body-worn cameras provided a very clear view of the scene. “The killer was shown in detail,” she said.
Tisch said the man “calmly walked up to the victim and used what appeared to be a lighter to ignite the victim’s clothing.”
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
