NEW YORK — A man accused of fatally setting a sleeping woman ablaze on a New York City subway train is scheduled for arraignment on murder and arson charges on Tuesday.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, is facing charges related to the death of Debrina Kawam, 57, in a Brooklyn court.
Officials allege that Zapeta ignited Kawam on fire while she was asleep on a stopped F train at the Coney Island station on December 22. Following the act, it is said he exacerbated the flames using a shirt and then sat on a platform bench watching as she burned.
Zapeta reportedly acknowledged to police that he was the individual captured in surveillance footage but claimed he had no recollection of the incident due to his heavy drinking.
As a Guatemalan citizen who allegedly re-entered the U.S. illegally after a previous deportation in 2018, Zapeta is facing multiple murder charges and one count of arson. The most severe charge could result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Although he was previously arraigned on a criminal complaint, New York law mandates a grand jury indictment to move felony cases to trial unless the defendant waives this requirement.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office confirmed that Zapeta was indicted in late December.
The case has sparked renewed concerns regarding safety within the city’s expansive transit system, despite a statistically lower crime rate in subways.
Recent police data indicates transit crime decreased for the second consecutive year, experiencing a 5.4% drop compared to 2023, contributing to a 3% overall decrease in major crimes citywide.
However, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated in a press conference that riders continue to express safety concerns.
In response to these concerns, she announced the deployment of over 200 additional officers to subway trains and platforms at the 50 stations with the highest crime rates in the city.
“Our data shows that 78% of transit crime occurs on trains and platforms, and that is precisely where our officers must focus their efforts,” Tisch emphasized. “This is just the beginning.”
