Critics are criticizing the actions, or lack thereof, in the case of the “Daniel Penny effect,” where bystanders and even police did not intervene as an innocent woman burned to death on a New York City subway car.
The appalling crime was allegedly committed by an illegal immigrant who targeted the woman while she was asleep. The victim remains unidentified days after the incident due to severe burns.
Investigators suspect she was homeless and are trying to locate any potential family members.
SANCTUARY CITY NEW YORK PRESSURED TO MAKE DRASTIC CHANGE AFTER ILLEGAL MIGRANT ALLEGEDLY BURNS WOMAN ALIVE
Sources previously named the suspect as Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who faces charges of first and second-degree murder, as well as first-degree arson.
Sebastian Zapeta, accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train, appears in court, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Curtis Means via Pool)
Surveillance footage of the incident showed the suspect setting the woman ablaze on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station.
It’s reported that Zapeta’s given address matched that of a NYC substance abuse support center.
A resident from the same shelter claimed Zapeta had a daily habit of smoking K2, a synthetic marijuana, and displayed erratic behavior when under its influence.
SUSPECT ACCUSED OF BURNING WOMAN TO DEATH ON NYC SUBWAY IS PREVIOUSLY DEPORTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
Sebastian Zapeta, accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train, appears in court, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Curtis Means via Pool)
Zapeta is a previously deported migrant from Guatemala who re-entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in June 2018.
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa attributed this incident to the “Daniel Penny effect,” where witnesses did not intervene or cooperate with law enforcement.
NYPD ARRESTS MIGRANT WHO ALLEGEDLY SET WOMAN ON FIRE ON SUBWAY TRAIN, WATCHED HER BURN TO DEATH
Daniel Penny arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court, Friday, November 22, 2024. Penny, a Marine veteran, was charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway train. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
“This chilling effect is due to the Daniel Penny case where witnesses hesitate to intervene,” said Sliwa.
“Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran, was acquitted of charges in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely,” Sliwa added.
State authorities and experts linked the incident to substance abuse and mental health issues of the involved parties.
Retired NYPD inspector Paul Mauro remarked on the incident, explaining that law enforcement was responding appropriately under the circumstances.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul faced criticism for praising subway safety while a tragedy occurred on the same day. Hochul’s office did not respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Fox News’ Alexis McAdams, Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz, and Lorraine Taylor contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Contact at stepheny.price@fox.com
