[3] A video taken by a bystander shows a man, later identified as Zapeta-Calil, sitting on a nearby bench watching the fire before standing up and appearing to fan the flames using a T-shirt.

[20] The primary suspect was identified as 33-year-old Guatemalan[4] Sebastian Zapeta-Calil,[22][23] who illegally immigrated to the United States after being extradited in 2018 as a result of attempting to enter through the Arizona-Mexico border.

[23] Zapeta-Calil was arrested at Herald Square station shortly after the incident, when three high school students recognized him on another subway train and called 911.

"[36] New York City Mayor Eric Adams tweeted that "This type of depraved behavior has no place in our subways and we are committed to working hard to ensure there is swift justice for all victims of violent crime".

[38] New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the immolation was "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being.

"[40] Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn District Attorney, stated, "This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will be met with the most serious consequences.

"[41] Many people expressed outrage online at the several New York City Police Department officers who stood outside of the train and watched as the victim burned.