NEW YORK — A man accused of setting a woman ablaze in a New York City subway expressed surprise upon seeing video footage of the incident, stating, “Oh, damn, that’s me,” but claimed to have no recollection of the event, according to a transcript released on Tuesday.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and arson during a court appearance in Brooklyn. Prosecutors allege that Zapeta ignited Debrina Kawam, 57, from his seat on a halted train during the early hours of December 22. The authorities assert he then used a shirt to fan the flames while observing the horrifying scene from a bench.
Following his arrest, Zapeta was interviewed at a Brooklyn precinct, where police noted his bizarre reaction to the video. He was seen wiping tears from his eyes and expressing disbelief in Spanish, stating, “Oh, my goodness.” He subsequently expressed regret, saying, “I am very sorry. I didn’t mean to,” and claimed he did not remember the incident due to heavy drinking the night of the attack.
According to police, Zapeta, who has lived in the United States illegally since entering five years ago, is a citizen of Guatemala. Immigration officials indicated he had been deported in 2018 and that he had been residing in a Brooklyn shelter while working as a roofer. The charges against him could lead to a life sentence without the possibility of parole if he is convicted.
During a brief arraignment on Tuesday, Zapeta kept his head down as his attorney entered a not guilty plea, occasionally nodding in response to a Spanish interpreter. Although he was previously arraigned on a different charge last month, New York law mandates that all felony cases be presented to a grand jury unless the defendant waives that right.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez indicated that the prosecution would aim for the maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole. He noted that they are pursuing charges based on the theory of an intentional act of violence, including a charge of “depraved indifference” murder, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime.
“It is hard to comprehend what drives individuals to commit such an atrocious and horrifying act,” Gonzalez said. “Ms. Kawam, along with her family, is entitled to some measure of justice, and New Yorkers should feel secure while using the subway.”
The defense attorney did not comment when contacted for a statement.
Debrina Kawam was originally from Little Falls, New Jersey, where she was well-liked at Passaic Valley Regional High School, participating in cheerleading and working at a pancake house, according to friends who spoke to media outlets. In her twenties, she traveled extensively with friends, visiting places like Jamaica, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Las Vegas, working various jobs that she often left for new opportunities.
At one point in the early 2000s, Kawam was employed at Merck, a major pharmaceutical company; however, her life took a downturn, and records indicate she faced significant financial hardship, filing for bankruptcy with debts exceeding $90,000 in 2008, while claiming to have no assets aside from personal belongings and an old car.
She had recently utilized a homeless shelter in New York City, as confirmed by the Department of Social Services, although specific dates were not provided.
This tragic incident has reignited discussions surrounding the safety of the nation’s largest mass transit system, despite a reported decrease in subway crime. According to police statistics, transit-related crime dropped for a second consecutive year, with a reported 5.4% decrease last year, alongside an overall 3% decline in major crimes throughout the city.
Despite these statistics, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stressed that many riders do not feel safe. In response, the department plans to enhance security by deploying over 200 additional officers onto subway trains and platforms at the top 50 stations with the highest crime rates in the city, stating that these measures are just the initial steps in addressing rider safety and security.
