New York City, NY – On the morning of December 22, 2024, a horrifying incident unfolded on an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station when a woman was fatally set on fire while reportedly asleep. Social media has since identified the victim as 29-year-old Amelia Carter, though official confirmation from law enforcement is still pending.
The assailant, identified as 33-year-old Sabastian Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, allegedly used a lighter to ignite Carter’s clothing before watching her burn, even reportedly fanning the flames. Zapeta, who had been deported from the U.S. in 2018 after an initial detention in Arizona, somehow managed to re-enter the country. His criminal record in New York City was mostly clean except for a transit summons from May 2023, according to local reports. At the time of the incident, he was living in a shelter on Randall’s Island.
The response from the authorities was delayed, with police arriving after the blaze had already claimed Carter’s life. Zapeta, who initially escaped from the scene, was later apprehended due to a tip from a group of high school students who recognized him from images released by the NYPD.
Social media has been rife with information about Carter, suggesting she was a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania, worked on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign, and later shifted her political stance, participating in protests. There are also claims that she was a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, originally from Orlando, Florida. However, these details remain unconfirmed by official sources, highlighting the rapid spread of misinformation in such tragic events.
This incident has not only shocked the community but has also reignited debates on subway safety, the effectiveness of law enforcement in emergencies, and immigration policies. The slow identification of the victim by authorities has contributed to the spread of unverified information across platforms.
As the investigation continues, the community and Carter’s loved ones await official updates and justice for the heinous act committed on the NYC subway. The case has become a focal point for discussions on public safety measures and the need for better integration and monitoring of immigration policies.
NYPD has yet to release further details regarding the official identity of the victim or the complete circumstances of the incident. The public is urged to wait for official statements to combat the spread of misinformation.