High school student charged with arson in fire that burned subway passenger

NEW YORK — A shocking incident occurred in New York City when a high school senior, Hiram Carrero, was arrested and charged with arson after setting a fire that severely burned a sleeping subway passenger. The victim, a 56-year-old man, was left in critical condition after the incident that took place in the early hours of Monday morning on a northbound 3 train at the 34th Street—Penn Station stop.

Surveillance footage included in Carrero’s criminal complaint showed him igniting a piece of paper and dropping it near the sleeping passenger, causing the victim’s legs and torso to catch on fire. The victim managed to stumble to the platform at the next station, 42nd Street—Times Square, where police officers quickly extinguished the flames before rushing him to the hospital.

Prosecutors described the crime as heinous, with the potential for the victim to have lost his life in the incident. The severity of the charges led to Carrero being detained without the option for bail. Despite his young age and lack of criminal record, the judge cited the gravity of the crime as grounds for his detention.

Carrero’s lawyer, Jennifer Brown, emphasized his youth and clean record, arguing for his release to home confinement under his mother’s supervision. However, Judge Valerie E. Caproni overturned the initial decision, keeping Carrero in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The incident is part of a disturbing trend of people being set on fire on public transit systems across the United States. Similar cases have been reported in Chicago and Brooklyn, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and security measures on public transportation.

Carrero’s case will proceed to a preliminary hearing in January, with the possibility of a grand jury indictment before that date. The investigation, conducted by a federal task force specializing in arson and explosives, led to Carrero’s arrest based on surveillance footage and prior interactions with law enforcement.

As the legal process unfolds, the victim continues to recover from his injuries, while the city grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence on its public transportation system. The need for accountability and justice in cases like these is paramount to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers.