Woman set on fire on NYC subway identified as Debrina Kawam, of New Jersey, police say

NEW YORK — The lady who was set on hearth and burned to loss of life on a New York Metropolis subway automobile has been recognized as Debrina Kawam, of Toms River, New Jersey, police mentioned Tuesday. 

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams informed reporters the sufferer briefly frolicked within the metropolis’s shelter system, including his coronary heart goes out to her household.

“Horrific incident to need to reside via. Watching that tape, I could not even watch it all over. Only a unhealthy incident, and it impacts on how New Yorkers really feel,” Adams mentioned. “It actually reinforces what I have been saying, individuals shouldn’t be dwelling on our subway system, they need to be in a spot of care. And irrespective of the place she lived, that ought to not have occurred.”

Sebastian Zapeta is accused of setting the 57-year-old lady on hearth whereas she was sleeping inside a practice automobile on the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. 

Prosecutors say he used a lighter to start out the hearth on Dec. 22 and then used a shirt to fan the flames. The 33-year-old is dealing with one rely of first-degree homicide, three counts of second-degree homicide and one rely of first-degree arson. 

“These are important counts. Homicide within the first diploma carries the opportunity of life with out parole. It is probably the most severe statute in New York state regulation, and my workplace could be very assured in regards to the proof on this case and our potential to carry Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds,” Brooklyn District Legal professional Eric Gonzalez mentioned when he introduced the fees final week.

In the meantime, the mayor’s workplace is pushing for added federal expenses within the case. 

“Lighting one other human being on hearth and watching them burn alive displays a stage of evil that can’t be tolerated,” the workplace mentioned in an announcement final week. 

Zapeta is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 7, when the indictment will formally be unsealed. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers say he entered the nation illegally from Guatemala in 2018 and was deported, however he reentered someday afterwards.