BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) –Raymond Robinson, 54, recalls his experience sharing a room in this East New York, Brooklyn homeless shelter with alleged subway murder suspect Sebastian Zapeta .
“I slept next to him for about four or five days. Unless he was drinking or smoking, he would talk to you,” said Robinson.
The 33-year-old Guatemalan migrant is accused of setting a woman on fire as she slept on board a stationary F train in Coney Island , Brooklyn.
Other shelter residents offered similar recollections of Zapeta frequently appearing drunk and or high off synthetic marijuana.
“He was always causing problems. Every day, coming in drunk,” said another resident who identified himself as Vegas.
A grand jury indicted Zapeta, who waived his court appearance on Friday.
He faces state criminal charges of first-degree murder and arson.
“This was intentional,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “A sleeping, vulnerable woman on our subway system. My office is very confident about the evidence in this case and our ability to hold Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds.”