Man accused in the burning death of a woman on a New York subway awaits arraignment

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames is awaiting arraignment on Tuesday. The woman quickly became engulfed in flames, while Zapeta then sat at a bench on the subway platform and watched as police officers and a transit worker doused the fire, according to police. In a statement, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack a “gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman” that would be “met with the most serious consequences.” The crime — and a graphic video of it that ricocheted across social media — deepened a growing sense of unease among New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system. At the same time, high-profile incidents on the train — such as the case of Daniel Penny, a military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this month — often attract national attention and further frighten passengers.