An 18-year-old college student has been apprehended for allegedly setting a man on fire while he was asleep on a train. Hiram Carrero was taken into custody after the incident left the victim severely burned on a train passing through New York City. The judge overseeing the case emphasized the severity of the crime, questioning why a young man in high school would be out at 3 a.m. setting people on fire.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on a Monday when the teenager ignited a piece of paper near a 56-year-old passenger on a northbound train at the 34th Street—Penn Station stop in midtown Manhattan. Images have surfaced showing Carrero allegedly setting the man ablaze, moments before the victim managed to reach the platform at the next station, 42nd Street—Times Square, with his body engulfed in flames. Prompt action by the police extinguished the fire, and the victim was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Prosecutors expressed the gravity of the situation, indicating that the victim could have lost his life. It was revealed that Carrero fled the scene and returned home while the injured passenger remained unaided.
Despite living with his disabled mother and serving as her primary caregiver, Carrero now faces the prospect of a minimum of seven years in prison if convicted. The court proceedings are scheduled for January, with the possibility of an earlier grand jury indictment canceling the preliminary hearing.
In light of the serious allegations, Carrero’s attorney acknowledged the gravity of the situation but emphasized his lack of prior criminal record and family support. The initial decision to release Carrero to home confinement with monitoring and other conditions was later overturned by the judge following an appeal.
The case is part of a series of disturbing incidents involving individuals being set on fire in public spaces, highlighting a concerning trend faced by prosecutors in different parts of the country.