A woman sleeping on a New York subway train was set on fire and died shortly afterward.
The attack occurred on an F train in Brooklyn, where the victim’s clothing was reportedly set ablaze with a lighter. Emergency responders arrived after noticing the smell of burning and found the victim engulfed in flames.
Despite extinguishing the fire, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
This was reported by Kurier.
Suspect Arrested Within Hours
The suspect, who police believe did not know the victim, was arrested approximately eight hours after the crime. Authorities say the man stayed near the scene and observed his victim after the attack.
Based on surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts, three students recognized the suspect, leading to his arrest in the New York subway.
Also read
"This type of inhumane behavior has no place in our subways, and we work hard to ensure violent offenders receive swift justice," New York City Mayor Eric Adams wrote on X.
Details of the Incident
Investigators revealed that the suspect used a lighter to ignite the woman’s clothing, which burned completely within seconds, according to statements provided to CNN.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released, and authorities have not disclosed whether she was homeless.
During winter, many homeless individuals take refuge in New York’s subway system to escape the frigid temperatures, which can drop as low as -10°C (14°F) at night.
Jessica Tisch, representing the New York Police Department, emphasized the seriousness of the crime: “This is a senseless and horrific act of violence.”
