In what is being called a “senseless murder”, a New York man has been arrested for setting a woman on fire in a train car and then watching her burn to death. Describing the incident during a press briefing, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch defined it as “one of the most despicable crimes that one person can commit against another human being.” It took the life of an “innocent New Yorker”.
The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Sunday as the man and the victim were riding the F train near the end of the line at Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn.
“As the train stopped in the station, the suspect calmly walked towards the victim, who was in a sitting position at the end of a subway car. The suspect used a lighter to burn the victim’s clothing, which we believe he It was completely burnt out within seconds,” Ms Tish said.
Officers on patrol on the upper level of that station came across smoke and went to investigate. They saw a man standing inside the train compartment completely engulfed in flames.
“The fire was brought under control with the help of MTA staff and fire extinguishers. Unfortunately, it was too late and the victim died at the scene,” Ms Tish said.
According to New York Police, the suspect remained at the scene. The man was found sitting on a bench on a platform just outside the train compartment. Body-worn cameras of responding officers gave a detailed look at the killer.
He added, “After the NYPD broadcast those images, three high school-age New Yorkers called 911 to say they recognized the suspect.”
The man was arrested on another train and found to have a lighter in his pocket.
The woman has not been identified yet.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday praised those who helped alert authorities to the suspect.
“This type of abusive behavior has no place on our subways and we are committed to working hard to ensure swift justice for all victims of violent crime,” Adams said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “
I am grateful to the young New Yorkers and transit officers who stepped up to help our NYPD make quick arrests following this morning’s heinous and deadly subway attack.
This type of abusive behavior has no place on our subways and we are committed to working hard to ensure…
– Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCmayor) 22 December 2024
“My prayers are with the family of the victims of this senseless murder,” he said.
