The woman tragically killed in a Brooklyn subway fire has been identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, a resident of Toms River, New Jersey. Police used fingerprint, dental, and DNA evidence to confirm her identity. Ms. Kawam, believed to be homeless, was sleeping on the subway when she was set ablaze. Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged that Kawam had briefly utilized the city’s shelter system, expressing his condolences to her family and highlighting the incident’s impact on New Yorkers’ sense of safety. He reiterated his stance on the need for improved care and housing for the city’s homeless population, emphasizing that such a horrific event should never occur regardless of a person’s living situation.
A grand jury has indicted 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta on four counts of murder—one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder—along with first-degree arson. The indictment followed a Friday hearing; Zapeta did not appear but is required to be present for his arraignment on January 7th. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated that the first-degree murder charge carries a potential life sentence without parole, emphasizing the seriousness of the case within the state court system. He highlighted the strong evidence against Zapeta, including graphic surveillance footage viewed by the grand jury, which depicted the horrific attack on the sleeping victim. Gonzalez described the act as malicious and intentional, promising a vigorous prosecution.
Zapeta was apprehended later that same day on the same subway line. While initially claiming ignorance, he reportedly identified himself in photos and videos showing him lighting the fire. His Brooklyn address, linked to a shelter offering housing and substance abuse support, was released by police. Federal immigration officials revealed that Zapeta had been deported in 2018 but illegally re-entered the United States. The incident has reignited concerns regarding safety within the nation’s largest mass transit system.