Valentina Gomez posted a controversial video on X (formerly Twitter) following the NYC Subway incident, where she simulated shooting a migrant while calling for public executions for undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes against Americans. The video, which Gomez described as “proof” of her resistance against the establishment, quickly went viral, sparking outrage and concern across social media.
“My video being restricted and my account suspended shows all of you that I am the biggest threat to the establishment because I call it like I see it,” Gomez claimed in the caption. She further encouraged viewers to “stay strapped,” intensifying concerns about the implications of her rhetoric.

Social Media Backlash

Social media users swiftly condemned the video, with many highlighting the alarming nature of her proposal and the divisive tone of her messaging. “So, first you want to bring back public executions which have been outlawed nationwide for almost 100 years. Then you want to create a 2-tier justice system which specifically dehumanizes non-citizens instead of including some provision to extradite or deport them? Horrifying,” commented one user.
Another user, in a retweet of the video, expressed fear over Gomez’s growing influence: “This is terrifying. She’s glamorizing violence and stoking hatred. How is this allowed on any platform?”
Some supporters rallied behind Gomez, praising her for her “boldness” and “truth-telling,” but the overwhelming response reflected deep unease. One critic remarked, “Advocating for state-sanctioned executions and encouraging vigilante violence isn’t bravery—it’s dangerous extremism.”

Who is Valentina Gomez?

Valentina Gomez, born on May 8, 1999, in Medellín, Colombia, is a Colombian-born American real estate investor, financier, and political activist. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 2009, settling in Jersey City, New Jersey. Gomez pursued higher education at Central Connecticut State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 2019, followed by an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business in 2020. During her academic tenure, she distinguished herself as a Division I college swimmer and represented Colombia internationally as a member of the Colombian National Swimming Team.

Career and Activism

Professionally, Gomez has held significant roles in the financial sector, including a position at Nestlé, where she focused on financial and strategic optimization, supporting brand teams in performance improvement and fund optimization. She is also recognized as a real estate investor and strategist, managing multimillion-dollar investments. Beyond her corporate endeavors, Gomez co-founded Fundación Flor de Mayo, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing over 1,200 children in Colombia with access to sports, education, health, and cultural activities.

Political Campaigns and Controversy

In 2024, Gomez entered the political arena by launching her campaign for Missouri Secretary of State. Her campaign was marked by provocative and controversial actions, including the release of a campaign video in which she urged voters not to be “weak and gay,” while running through a historically LGBTQ+ neighborhood in St. Louis. Additionally, she posted videos of herself burning LGBTQ+ books with a flamethrower, promising to ban such books if elected.
These actions drew significant media attention and public scrutiny. Despite the notoriety, Gomez secured only 7.4% of the vote in the Republican primary, finishing sixth out of eight candidates, which concluded her bid for the Secretary of State position.
Gomez’s campaign and rhetoric have been polarizing, attracting both support and criticism. Her alignment with far-right ideologies and association with controversial figures have sparked discussions about the impact of provocative rhetoric in politics and its influence on public discourse. Despite her electoral defeat, Gomez maintains an active presence on social media, where she continues to engage with her audience and express her views on various political and social issues.

The NYC Subway Burning Incident

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil and a screengrab of video showing woman burning on subway train (Picture credit: AP/ X)

The NYC Subway burning incident refers to a tragic event that occurred on December 22, 2024, in Brooklyn, New York. A woman was fatally set on fire while seated inside a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station. The assailant, identified as 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen Sebastian Zapeta, allegedly approached the victim, who appeared to be dozing, and used a lighter to ignite her clothing. Despite immediate efforts by nearby police officers and subway workers to extinguish the flames, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Details of the Attack

Surveillance footage captured the harrowing sequence of events, showing the suspect calmly setting the woman ablaze and then sitting on a platform bench, seemingly watching as she burned. This disturbing behavior has intensified the horror and outrage surrounding the incident. The victim’s identity has not been publicly disclosed pending notification of her family.

Zapeta was apprehended approximately eight hours after the incident, following identification through surveillance footage and assistance from high school students who spotted him on a train in Brooklyn. He has been charged with murder and arson. Authorities revealed that Zapeta had previously entered the United States unlawfully in 2018 and was deported shortly thereafter. His re-entry into the country and subsequent actions have prompted discussions about immigration enforcement and public safety.

Community and Official Reactions

The brutal nature of the attack has elicited strong reactions from public officials and the community. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez condemned the act as a “gruesome and senseless crime,” emphasizing that such violence has no place in the community and promising to hold the perpetrator accountable. New York City Mayor Eric Adams also denounced the attack, highlighting the need for continued efforts to ensure the safety of subway passengers.

Addressing Public Safety Concerns

This incident has reignited concerns about safety within the New York City transit system, which has experienced a series of violent occurrences in recent years. Commuters and advocacy groups are calling for enhanced security measures, increased police presence, and improved mental health support to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and is reviewing safety protocols to better protect passengers.