Sanctuary city New York pressured to make drastic change after illegal migrant allegedly burns woman alive

In an unprecedented public attack that quickly spread across social media, a woman was lit on fire and burned to death on a subway train in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday. The suspect arrested in connection to her heinous death is a previously deported migrant from Guatemala, as calls to end New York City’s sanctuary policies enacted under former Mayor Bill de Blasio are escalating.

Sources previously identified the person of interest to Fox News Digital as Sebastin Zapeta, 33, who has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as first-degree arson.

Zapeta was apprehended by Border Patrol and subsequently deported by the Trump administration in June 2018 after he crossed illegally into Sonoita, Arizona, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Marie Ferguson told Fox News, adding that Zapeta later re-entered the U.S. illegally. 

stillwell-nypd

Police investigates the scene where a woman died after being lit on fire by a man aboard an MTA subway train as she slept at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York, United States on Sunday, December 22, 2024. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“People are tired of the revolving door where people are constantly committing violent crimes and back on our streets…it is not a safe haven for those who are committing criminal acts,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams told Fox News last week in a discussion about the city’s sanctuary policies. “Violent individuals should not remain in our country.” 

Adams is the first big city mayor to sit down with incoming border czar Tom Homan against the wishes of his own city leaders, saying he will work with the Trump administration to deport migrant criminals from his city. 

This month and prior to Sunday’s attack, Adams said there has been a 22-week drop in migrant arrivals into New York City, allowing for the closure of many of the migrant shelters used for housing, though the city has seen more than 225,000 migrants arrive since 2022, a surge that coincided with a spike at the southern border. 

Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Fiery boat explosion in Florida marina leaves one dead, several injured

Deadly Boat Explosion at Florida Marina Results in One Fatality and Multiple Injuries

Five people were injured, and one person was found dead following a…
Illegal immigrant involved in suspected DUI crash that claimed life of Georgia realtor

Undocumented individual in DUI crash linked to death of Georgia realtor

A realtor in Georgia was killed in a suspected DUI crash that…
Joliet police-involved death investigation underway after Shell gas station incident

Investigation underway in Joliet following death involving police at Shell gas station

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — A suburban police department is under investigation after…
Odd Oregon laws that may surprise you, such as one that prohibits predicting the future

Surprising Oregon Laws: Did You Know It’s illegal to Predict the Future in Oregon?

Golf, car doors and fortune-telling are all topics of odd laws in…
Richard Perry dead at 82: Jane Fonda's record producer ex behind You're So Vain dies from cardiac arrest

Record producer Richard Perry, who was once in a relationship with Jane Fonda and worked on the iconic song “You’re So Vain,” passes away at age 82 due to a heart attack.

Famous music producer Richard Perry, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane…
Merry Christmas Morning Minute

One-Minute Christmas Morning Cheer

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy are now a powerful…
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu wishes a merry Christmas to Christians around the world

Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel extends Christmas greetings to Christians globally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his warm wishes for a merry…
Satisfying punishment for University of Oregon worker who told Trump voters to kill themselves

Appropriate consequences for University of Oregon staffer who instructed Trump supporters to harm themselves

A University of Oregon staffer who told Trump voters to kill themselves…
Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni is 'tip of the iceberg' as actress plans to take further action

Blake Lively plans to take additional legal steps after filing a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, indicating more legal actions are on the way.

According to sources, Blake Lively is gearing up to pursue additional legal…
White House Christmas decorations 2024: First Lady Dr. Jill Biden takes ABC7 on tour of 'Season of Peace and Light' display

Guided Tour of White House Christmas Decorations 2024 by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden featuring ‘Season of Peace and Light’ Exhibit through ABC7

WASHINGTON (WLS) — Guided by a giant gold star, visitors cross the…
Bear Grylls is labelled 'embarrassing' after his Christmas message to fans called Jesus 'a refugee' and Mary 'a Palestinian' - sparking accusations he is 'eradicating her Jewish identity'

Bear Grylls receives criticism for referring to Jesus as a refugee and Mary as a Palestinian in his holiday message, leading to claims of undermining her Jewish heritage.

Bear Grylls has been labelled ’embarrassing’ after saying Mary was a Palestinian…
Inside the eerie hotel cashing in on one of America's most gruesome crimes

Exploring the spooky hotel profiting from a notorious American crime

Nestled in a stunning Massachusetts city is an eerie hotel with a…