Tragedy in NYC subway: Passenger set ablaze, suspect caught
A tragic incident occurred in the New York City subway, where a passenger was set on fire. Authorities swiftly located and apprehended the perpetrator of the attack.
A sleeping passenger was set on fire in the New York City subway. Tragically, the victim succumbed to the burns sustained. According to the Polish Press Agency, the perpetrator initially fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by the police on another subway train.
Police Commissioner Jessika Tisch announced that the dramatic event took place on the route to the final station of the "F" line in Brooklyn. The attacker used a lighter, and the flames rapidly engulfed the victim's clothing. Police officers extinguished the fire, but emergency responders declared the woman dead on the scene.
CNN reported that the police released surveillance photos, which helped quickly locate and arrest the suspect in downtown Manhattan. A lighter was found on the detainee.
Heightened security measures
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of an additional 250 National Guard soldiers to enhance security in the city during the holidays. Cameras are installed in every subway car.
Hochul's office reported that since the implementation of the security plan in May, subway crime has dropped by 10 percent, and since January 2021 by 42 percent. Nevertheless, as CNN emphasizes, a series of high-profile violent incidents in the subway in recent years is causing concern among residents.
Safety in the New York City subway
The setting fire to a sleeping passenger is not the first dramatic incident in the New York City subway. In February of this year, there was a shooting at Mount Eden Avenue station in the Bronx. One person was killed and five were injured. Witnesses described passengers fleeing the train in search of safety.
According to the police, the incident began with an argument between two groups of teenagers. The attack occurred during peak evening hours, significantly increasing the number of potential victims. A 34-year-old man was killed in the shooting, and a little girl was among those injured. The police emphasize that they were bystanders.
Crime in the New York City subway, though rare, raises concerns among residents. In 2023, 570 assaults were reported against the backdrop of over 3.8 million daily rides.
