A dramatic incident on a New York City subway has led to the federal arrest of a high school senior, Hiram Carrero, who has been charged with arson resulting in injury. The incident occurred early Monday morning when Carrero allegedly set fire to a 56-year-old man who was sleeping aboard a northbound 3 train.
According to the Department of Justice, Carrero lit a piece of paper and dropped it near the victim, leading to severe injuries as the man’s legs and torso caught fire. Surveillance footage shows the victim stumbling onto the platform at 42nd Street–Times Square, where witnesses observed the flames engulfing his body. Emergency services responded swiftly to extinguish the fire, but the victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Following the incident, Carrero reportedly boarded the train briefly before fleeing and taking a bus to Harlem. He was apprehended days later in his home neighborhood. His attorneys revealed that he lives with his disabled mother and serves as her primary caregiver.
This case marks another instance in a troubling trend of violent attacks on public transportation, particularly in major cities like New York and Chicago. Authorities have noted a concerning pattern in which victims are intentionally set alight.
During a hearing, U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni ordered Carrero to remain detained, emphasizing the severity of the crime after prosecutors successfully challenged prior decisions to release him to home confinement. “The victim very well could have died in this case,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Molis stated, highlighting the potential havoc that such acts of violence can wreak on public safety.
Carrero appeared in federal court but did not enter a plea during his arraignment. His mother attended but chose not to address the media. While his lawyer acknowledged the gravity of the situation, she argued that Carrero is a young man with no prior criminal record and a supportive family.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton affirmed the importance of a safe subway system for the millions who rely on it, declaring that incidents like this threaten public trust and safety. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch echoed these sentiments, describing the act as one of the most serious forms of violence that has no place in the city.
Despite this alarming incident, the NYPD has reported a notable decrease in transit crimes. Tisch indicated that November had been particularly safe, being described as the “safest November on our subways outside the pandemic period.” According to recent statistics, transit crimes have dropped by 24.8% compared to the previous year, and certain strategies employed by the NYPD have been credited with this reduction.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority highlighted ongoing efforts by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to enhance subway safety, which includes increased police funding and the installation of additional security cameras. If found guilty, Carrero faces a minimum sentence of seven years in prison, with a preliminary hearing set for January 4. The case is prosecuted at the federal level due to its investigation by a specialized task force.
