Woman set on fire while sleeping on NYC subway, NYPD says

NEW YORK: A woman lost her life after someone set her on fire while she was sleeping on a subway train in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. It’s a shocking incident that has left many in disbelief.

The police quickly took a person of interest into custody later that day. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared the news during a press conference, but they still haven’t identified the victim. The suspect reportedly came to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2018, and while no charges have been filed yet, investigators are working hard to figure out what happened.

Tisch mentioned that they had clear images of the suspect from security cameras, which helped a lot. Three high school students even spotted him and called 911, leading to his arrest. The NYPD had been offering a $10,000 reward for tips about the case, which shows how serious they are about solving it.

The suspect was described as around 5-foot-6, weighing about 150 pounds, and was wearing a grey hoodie and paint-splattered pants when the attack occurred. He boarded the F train at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue around 7:30 a.m. and approached the sleeping woman before lighting her on fire with a lighter. It all happened so fast; her clothes were engulfed in flames within seconds.

There was no interaction between the victim and the attacker before the incident, which makes it even more chilling. Nearby officers noticed smoke and rushed to help, using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Sadly, EMS arrived shortly after and pronounced the woman dead on the scene.

The suspect didn’t try to flee; he was found sitting on a bench nearby and was later caught on another train. He had a lighter in his pocket when he was apprehended. Tisch praised the teamwork between the public and the police, highlighting how crucial it was in making a quick arrest in such a horrific crime.

If anyone has more information, they’re encouraged to reach out to the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline. It’s a tough situation, and the community is rallying together to support the investigation.