Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, A 27 Year-Old Migrant From Guatemala, Allegedly Set A Woman On Fire While She Slept
The streets and subways of New York City, long symbols of urban energy and diversity, have recently become the scene of a shocking crime that has left the nation in disbelief.
On a late November evening, an incident aboard the F train in Manhattan shook the city when a sleeping woman, reportedly named Amelia Carter, became the victim of a horrifying act of violence.
The accused, 27-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a migrant from Guatemala, is now at the center of an incident that has sparked widespread outrage, political debate, and calls for accountability.
Authorities have confirmed that Zapeta-Calil allegedly set the victim on fire while she was asleep in a nearly empty subway car, and then reportedly stood by as flames engulfed her body. Surveillance footage and witness accounts have since painted a grim picture of the events that unfolded.
Investigators report that the incident occurred late at night when Amelia Carter, 29, who was believed to be using a walker due to a disability, had taken a seat in a sparsely populated subway car.
As she rested, Zapeta-Calil, reportedly intoxicated, approached her. What happened next was captured on multiple MTA surveillance cameras and has left authorities and the public in shock. The footage shows the suspect setting fire to the woman’s clothing using a lighter and what appeared to be an accelerant.
He then stood silently, hands in his hoodie pockets, watching as the flames spread, consuming her clothing and eventually her body. The image of the walker, partially visible in the background, has since become a haunting symbol of the victim’s vulnerability and the sheer brutality of the act.
Subsequent footage reportedly shows Zapeta-Calil attempting to fan the flames with a piece of fabric, an action authorities have interpreted as either an attempt to intensify the fire or an uncoordinated effort to extinguish it.
The suspect fled the scene immediately after the attack but was apprehended shortly thereafter on another subway train. Police discovered a lighter in his possession, which they believe was used in the assault.
During initial questioning, Zapeta-Calil allegedly claimed to have no memory of the attack, stating that he was intoxicated at the time. This assertion has done little to quell public outrage, with many calling for swift justice for the heinous crime.
The victim, Amelia Carter, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition with life-threatening burns. While early reports from social media and news outlets identified her as Carter, law enforcement has yet to officially confirm her identity, citing the ongoing investigation.
A widely circulated photo purportedly depicting Carter went viral on X (formerly Twitter), adding a personal face to the tragedy. However, it was later revealed that the image had been AI-generated, casting doubts on its authenticity and further complicating the public narrative surrounding the case. Regardless of her identity details, the victim has become a focal point for discussions on subway safety, migrant policy, and mental health.