An 18-year-old college student, Hiram Carrero, was apprehended for allegedly setting a man on fire while he was asleep on a train in New York City. The incident occurred at 3 am on a northbound train at the 34th Street—Penn Station stop. Carrero reportedly ignited a piece of paper near the 56-year-old passenger, causing severe burns. Photos surfaced showing the victim ablaze before being rescued at the 42nd Street—Times Square station.
The judge, Valerie E Caproni, deemed the crime heinous and expressed disbelief at the young man’s actions. Cameron Molis, the prosecutor, highlighted the severity of the incident, stating that the victim’s life was in jeopardy. Carrero, who fled the scene, faces arson charges and could face a minimum of seven years in prison if convicted.
Despite his lawyer acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, she emphasized Carrero’s lack of criminal history and his role as a caregiver for his disabled mother. The attorney argued for Carrero’s release with monitoring and evaluations, but the judge overturned the decision pending further proceedings. The defense suggested that news reports hinted at the victim possibly setting himself on fire.
This case is one of several recent incidents involving individuals setting others on fire in public places. Authorities are handling similar cases nationwide, underscoring the disturbing trend of such attacks.
