Crime
25-year-old Sebastian Zapeta arrested after setting sleeping NYC subway rider on fire
New York, NY – Law enforcement officials have announced the arrest of 25-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan national, in connection with a horrific incident where a sleeping woman was set on fire aboard a subway train.
The shocking act, which occurred on Sunday morning aboard a Coney Island-bound F train, left the woman dead in what police are describing as an appalling crime just days before Christmas.
Authorities revealed that Zapeta was apprehended following a tip from a vigilant civilian who recognized him on a train at the 34th Street station in Manhattan.
The witness flagged down officers, who quickly responded and detained Zapeta. Although Zapeta has not yet been formally charged, investigators have identified him as the primary suspect in the brutal attack.
The incident unfolded at approximately 7:30 a.m. on December 22, when the victim, a woman whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was allegedly set ablaze as she slept on the subway.
Disturbingly, sources indicate that Zapeta stood by and watched as the flames engulfed her. Despite attempts by authorities to manage the immediate aftermath, a video from the scene revealed police briefly speaking with a man matching Zapeta’s description before instructing him to leave the area.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is actively working to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy, while also determining Zapeta’s motivations.
This heinous act has sent shockwaves throughout the city, prompting heightened concerns about safety and security on public transit.
In a statement, an NYPD spokesperson acknowledged the swift action of the citizen who identified Zapeta, emphasizing the critical role that public vigilance can play in assisting law enforcement.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials urge anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward. Further updates, including formal charges against Zapeta, are expected as the case progresses.
This tragic event highlights the growing need for addressing violent crimes on New York City’s transit system and ensuring the safety of all passengers.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.