Woman set on fire on NYC subway sparks outrage and fear
- On December 22, 2023, Debrina Kawam was set on fire while sleeping on a subway train in Brooklyn.
- Sebastian Zapeta, the alleged assailant, was arrested later that day and charged with murder and arson.
- The incident highlights ongoing issues related to homelessness and public safety in New York City.
In a tragic incident in the United States, on December 22, 2023, Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, was set on fire while sleeping aboard an F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. The attack was perpetrated by a 33-year-old undocumented immigrant named Sebastian Zapeta, who approached Kawam with a lighter and ignited her clothing before fanning the flames with his shirt. Following public outcry, authorities apprehended Zapeta hours later after a group of high school students recognized him from surveillance footage. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, and arson. The prosecution emphasized the heinous nature of the crime, as Zapeta allegedly did nothing to extinguish the flames and even watched Kawam burn from the platform bench. In the aftermath of this horrible event, New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences and highlighted the toll such incidents take on New Yorkers, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive support for individuals experiencing homelessness in the city. The community was also deeply impacted, leading to calls for increased safety measures in the subway system. As investigations continue, the case reflects ongoing issues regarding homelessness in New York City and the vulnerabilities of people living in precarious conditions. Furthermore, the nature of this crime has drawn attention to the pressing concerns surrounding public safety in transit areas, a challenge that officials struggle to address amidst a backdrop of heightened fears around violent crime in urban environments.