Woman set on fire on NYC subway identified as Debrina Kawam, of New Jersey, police say
New York– this Woman was set on fire and burned to death The person inside the New York City subway car has been identified as Debrina Kawam of Toms River, New Jersey, police said Tuesday.
Sebastian Zapeta is accused of setting fire to the 61-year-old woman in a train car at the Stilwell Avenue station in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Prosecutors said he used a lighter to set the fire on December 22. And then fanned the flames with his shirt. At 33 years old, he faces one count of first degree murderthree counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson.
“These charges are important. First-degree murder carries the possibility of life without parole. It is the most severe statute in New York State law, and my office is extremely confident in the evidence in this case and in our ability to hold Zapeta accountable.” despicable conduct,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said when announcing the charges last week.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office is pushing for additional federal charges in the case.
“Lighting another person on fire and watching them burn alive reflects an intolerable level of evil,” the mayor’s office said in a statement last week.
Zapeta is scheduled to stand trial on January 7, when the indictment will be officially unsealed.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said he entered the U.S. illegally from Guatemala in 2018 and was deported, but later re-entered.
Please check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.
