NEW YORK, NY — December 5, 2025

An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with federal arson after a homeless subway passenger was severely burned in what authorities describe as an unprovoked attack aboard a Manhattan subway train earlier this week, according to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.

According to that federal complaint, the victim, a 56-year-old man believed to be homeless, was asleep on a northbound No. 3 train shortly after 3 a.m. Monday when the suspect, identified as Hiram Carrero, approached and ignited a piece of paper near the victim’s legs. Surveillance footage detailed in the complaint shows Carrero placing the burning material near the victim before exiting the train as the doors closed behind him, according to the FEDERAL COMPLAINT FILED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT.

Additional surveillance video cited by federal investigators shows the victim exiting the train at the next station, 42nd Street-Times Square, with flames still burning along his legs. Emergency responders extinguished the fire and transported him to a hospital, where the complaint notes he suffered severe burn injuries.

Carrero was arrested Thursday night after investigators matched his appearance from subway surveillance to prior body-worn camera footage recorded by officers during an unrelated stop. He appeared in Manhattan federal court Friday on arson charges. While a magistrate initially ordered his release, the U.S. DISTRICT COURT reversed that order later the same day, ruling that Carrero posed a danger and must remain detained pending trial.

According to federal prosecutors in the U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, the act was described in court as “heinous,” with officials noting that had the flames spread differently, the victim “very well could have died.” Under federal arson statutes, Carrero faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted.

This case remains active as federal authorities continue reviewing evidence from the subway system and hospital reports. Further updates will be provided as additional first-hand information becomes available.

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Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK — Criminal complaint detailing the surveillance footage, timeline, and charges.
• U.S. DISTRICT COURT — Detention order reversing initial release decision.
• FEDERAL COMPLAINT FILED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT — Description of events, evidence, and charges.