Sebastian Zapeta, accused of murdering Debrina Kawam by setting her on fire, faces multiple charges as investigations reveal the horrifying details of the incident.
Gruesome Subway Attack in NYC Claims Life of Woman; Suspect Indicted
Gruesome Subway Attack in NYC Claims Life of Woman; Suspect Indicted
Authorities identify Debrina Kawam, 61, as the victim of a brutal arson attack on a Brooklyn subway train.
In a shocking and horrific incident that has shaken New York City, police have identified the victim of a deadly subway attack as Debrina Kawam, 61, from New Jersey. The brutal event occurred on December 22, when Ms. Kawam was reportedly set on fire while she slept on a stationary subway train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station in Brooklyn.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, faces serious charges for the attack, which resulted in Ms. Kawam's body being burned beyond recognition. Witnesses claim that Zapeta approached her with a lighter, igniting flames before attempting to fan them with a shirt, all while maintaining a detached demeanor from the safety of a nearby bench. A grand jury has since indicted him on four counts of murder and one count of arson.
District Attorney Eric Gonzalez expressed urgency in identifying the victim, revealing that the investigation involved collecting DNA evidence to confirm Ms. Kawam's identity after a week of uncertainty. The case sparked a wave of misinformation online, including unverified photos and a vigil for the victim, as authorities worked tirelessly to notify her family.
Authorities reported that responding officers, drawn by the smell of smoke, found Ms. Kawam already deceased at the scene. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the incident as one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. Despite Mr. Zapeta’s claims of a memory lapse due to alcohol, he acknowledged his presence in surveillance footage and photographic evidence.
The suspect, who has a prior immigration history, was originally deported in 2018 and subsequently re-entered the U.S. illegally. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 7.
As the investigation develops, the New York community grapples with the shocking violence that took the life of an innocent person in what has been deemed a random attack.
