Authorities have identified Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey, as the victim of a horrific arson attack on a subway train in Brooklyn that took place on December 22.
A Gruesome Subway Crime: Victim Identified in Brooklyn Arson Attack
A Gruesome Subway Crime: Victim Identified in Brooklyn Arson Attack
A tragic incident on a Brooklyn subway exposes safety concerns amid rising violence.
Police have revealed the identity of Debrina Kawam, the woman set ablaze in a shocking incident on a Brooklyn subway train, in an act seemingly devoid of motive. The 57-year-old victim, identified after days of forensic work, was attacked while sleeping, and Sebastian Zapeta, 33, has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of arson. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage indicate Zapeta lit a fire using a lighter and then exacerbated the flames with a shirt while Ms. Kawam remained unaware.
After a grand jury indictment, Zapeta, who claims amnesia concerning the incident, will appear in court again on January 7, as he faces the consequences of his alleged actions. Medical officials confirmed Kawam's death was due to "thermal and inhalational injuries," ruling it a homicide.
During a press conference, Mayor Eric Adams condemned the tragedy and reiterated the need for action regarding homelessness on the subway system, where the victim had recently stayed in a shelter. A multi-agency investigation was launched to validate Ms. Kawam's identity using DNA and fingerprints. Meanwhile, misinformation about her began circulating online, including misleading AI-generated images, prompting community members to hold a vigil for the unnamed victim.
Jessica Tisch, NYC police commissioner, characterized the incident as "one of the most depraved crimes" imaginable; the heinous nature of the act has raised alarms about subway safety amidst a general decline in crime rates on the transit system. The concerns echoed further Tuesday when a man was pushed onto the tracks at a Manhattan station, resulting in injury and another arrest. The series of violent encounters has prompted calls for increased vigilance in protecting transit riders throughout New York City's extensive subway network.
