The victim of a tragic incident on the New York City subway has been identified as Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old resident of Toms River, New Jersey, according to the New York medical examiner’s office. Kawam’s death, resulting from thermal and inhalation injuries, has been ruled a homicide, as confirmed by Julie Bolcer, a spokesperson for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams mentioned that Kawam had briefly stayed in the city’s homeless shelter system, although no further details were provided.
The suspect, Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, has been charged with murder and arson for allegedly setting Kawam on fire and callously observing her horrific death at a subway station.
Zapeta was apprehended approximately six hours after the incident, where he reportedly used a lighter to ignite Kawam’s clothes while she was resting on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue stop in Brooklyn.
It was revealed that Zapeta had entered the U.S. without authorization in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala shortly afterward. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicated uncertainty regarding his subsequent unlawful re-entry into the country.
Authorities have stated that there was no known prior connection between the assailant, a resident of Brooklyn, and Kawam.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced its intention to initiate removal proceedings against Zapeta once he is released from New York custody, which might involve a lengthy prison sentence if he is found guilty.
(This article is based on a syndicated feed and has not been altered by NDTV staff, except for the headline.)
