Man Pleads Not Guilty to Setting Woman on Fire on NYC Subway

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Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old man, recently pleaded not guilty to charges of setting a woman on fire on a New York City subway train. The incident occurred on December 22, 2024, on an F train at Brooklyn’s Coney Island station. The victim, identified as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam from Toms River, New Jersey, was reportedly sleeping when Zapeta allegedly lit her on fire using a flammable liquid and then fanned the flames with a shirt. He then allegedly watched as Kawam burned to death before sitting on a platform bench.

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Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who entered the United States illegally after being deported in 2018, faces multiple counts of murder and arson. The top charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Despite his plea of not guilty, prosecutors have indicted him, and he is set to appear in court again.

This tragic incident has drawn significant attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in the New York City subway system. Despite recent efforts to enhance subway safety, including a five-point safety plan announced earlier this year, incidents of violent crime have persisted. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has reported a 5.4% decrease in major crimes within the transit system last year, but incidents of felony assault have increased by 65% since 2019.