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Badly burned man found in Penn Station now in ‘critical condition,’ police say


By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Dec 28, 2024


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An entrance to Penn Station in Manhattan seen on July 8, 2024.

 

Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto via Getty Images


By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Dec 28, 2024


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A 67-year-old man is now listed in critical condition after he was found badly burned inside Manhattan’s Penn Station on Friday night, according to police.

Police said they received reports that a man was on fire at the transportation hub shortly after 8 p.m. When officers responded, they discovered the man had sustained serious burns on his upper body and both his legs.

The man, whose identity has not been released by police, was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was initially reported to be in stable condition.

As of Saturday morning, however, police said he was listed in critical condition.

Police said the investigation remains active and ongoing. How the man was burned remains unclear.

The incident comes after a woman was fatally set on fire aboard an F train in Brooklyn last Sunday.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was arrested in connection with the incident later that day and was indicted on murder and arson charges on Friday.

Federal immigration officials say Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen, was deported in 2018 and later re-entered the United States at an unknown date.

He now faces the possibility of life in prison without parole.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Tagged

public safety

manhattan


Hannah Frishberg

Hannah Frishberg covers New York City arts and culture. Got a tip? Email Hannah at [email protected].

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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