Authorities have identified the woman tragically burned to death on a subway train in Brooklyn as 61-year-old Debrina Kawam, a resident of Toms River, New Jersey.
The horrific incident occurred on December 22 aboard the F train in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. Kawam was deliberately set on fire and succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan national, has been charged in connection with Kawam’s brutal murder. Zapeta, who was previously deported from the United States, has now been indicted for the crime.
Disturbing cell phone footage captured the gruesome act, showing a man setting Kawam on fire and then sitting on a nearby bench, watching as she burned.
Records indicate that Zapeta was deported during former President Donald Trump’s administration in 2018. He had entered the United States on June 1 of that year but was apprehended and deported just six days later, on June 7.
Despite his removal, Zapeta illegally reentered the country at an unknown time and location, classified as a “gotaway”—a term used for individuals who evade detection while crossing the border.
According to prosecutors, evidence strongly links Zapeta to the crime. Surveillance footage from the scene and photographs show a man matching Zapeta’s description committing the act. When confronted with the images, Zapeta reportedly identified himself.
After his arrest, Zapeta claimed he could not recall the incident, telling authorities that he had been too intoxicated to remember what transpired.
The brutal nature of Kawam’s death has sparked outrage, particularly regarding Zapeta’s immigration status and the circumstances that allowed him to reenter the country after his initial deportation.
Critics argue that this tragedy highlights ongoing issues with border security and enforcement, pointing to the risks posed by individuals who reenter the United States after deportation.
This is a developing story. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and updates are expected as the case moves forward.
Kawam’s tragic death serves as a grim reminder of the violence that can unfold in public spaces and the importance of addressing systemic gaps that allow such incidents to occur.
Stay tuned for further details as they become available.