Court records and official announcements from the New York judicial system

Sebastian Zapeta Charged with Murder and Arson After Setting 57-Year-Old Debrina Kawam on Fire on Brooklyn's F Train at Coney Island

Dec 31, 2024, 08:59 PM

The New York Police Department has identified Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, as the victim who was set on fire and burned to death on a Brooklyn subway train on December 22. The incident occurred while Kawam was sleeping on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan man who entered the U.S. illegally, has been indicted on charges of murder and arson in connection with the attack. Zapeta allegedly approached Kawam, set her clothing on fire, and fanned the flames with a shirt before watching her burn from a nearby bench. He was arrested later that day after being recognized by high school students. Zapeta had previously been deported in 2018 but re-entered the U.S. at an unknown time and location. New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences to Kawam's family and emphasized the need for better care for those living in the subway system. Kawam had a brief stint in a homeless shelter and had previously worked at Merck. Video footage of the incident has been released, and Zapeta faces a possible life sentence without parole.