The man accused in a gruesome incident on a Brooklyn subway, in which a woman was set ablaze leading to her death, pleaded not guilty. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, is facing charges that include one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder, as well as arson, relating to the death of Debrina Kawam, 57. According to ABC7NY, Zapeta's indictment by a grand jury arrived after the Echoing tragedy unfolded on December 22 at Coney Island's F train station.
In court, Zapeta, who is a Guatemalan citizen and was previously deported in 2018, appeared in an orange jumpsuit and jacket with his hands cuffed behind his back. Prosecutors allege that he set Kawam on fire, then used a shirt to further spread the flames. Zapeta purportedly sat and watched the tragic scene, as reported by ABC7NY. Despite admitting to being the person captured in the surveillance videos and photos, Zapeta claimed to police that he drinks a lot and could not vividly recall what happened.
As this case draws attention to safety on New York City's subway system, the recent statistics show a 5.4% decrease in transit crime last year when compared to 2023. Still, despite such trends, there is a palpable concern among commuters. "People don't feel safe," stated New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch in a press conference covered by Hoodline. Tisch announced a plan to slightly surge the number of officers on subway trains.
According to Hoodline, over 200 officers are to be added to greenhouse patrols and an increased presence on subway platforms, especially at the top 50 highest-crime stations. This move is in response to the statistics shared by the police data, suggesting "78% of transit crime occurs on trains and on platforms." Further proceedings in Zapeta's case are scheduled for March 12, where he will face the consequences of the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
