NYC, arson

NYC subway arson suspect Sebastian Zapeta to make court appearance
The suspect is accused of setting a sleeping woman's clothes on fire, using his shirt to fan the flames and then sitting on a platform bench nearby.
NYC subway fire suspect Sebastian Zapeta-Calil’s eerie menacing glare as he pleads not guilty to ‘burning woman alive’
THE man accused of lighting a sleeping woman on fire on the subway and watching her burn to death has pleaded not guilty. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, gave a chilling stare to reporters as he left
Man accused of burning woman to death on NYC subway pleads not guilty to murder, arson
The deadly fire on the F train was one of several high-profile acts of violence in New York City's subway system at the end of last year, even as transit crime dropped overall in 2024. The NYPD on Monday pledged to send 200 more officers into the subway, with a focus on train cars and platforms.
Man accused of setting woman on fire in NYC subway faces multiple counts of murder
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez says officials are still looking into surveillance footage in order to identify the woman who burned to death.
Debrina Kawam: About the Woman Who Was Set on Fire in a NYC Subway
In December 2024, a woman was brutally set on fire in a New York City subway. She has now been identified as 57-year-old Toms River, New Jersey, resident Debrina Kawam. As the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams spoke to the press, they explained more details about the terrifying crime.
Woman set on fire in NYC subway identified as 57-year-old New Jersey resident
A 61-year-old New Jersey woman has been identified as the woman who was set on fire and burned to death on a New York City subway car. Debrina Kawam, of Toms River, New Jersey, was sleeping inside a train car at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn on December 22 when the horrific incident occurred.
Man accused of killing a woman on NYC subway by setting her on fire pleads not guilty to murder
The man accused of killing a woman by setting her on fire on a New York City subway car last month pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday and was ordered held without bail.
Man accused of burning woman to death on NYC subway train pleads not guilty
The man accused of burning a sleeping woman to death inside a NYC subway train pleaded not guilty on Tuesday morning.
Man Accused of Killing Woman in New York Subway Fire Pleads Not Guilty
The man accused of killing a woman sleeping on a New York City subway car by setting her on fire pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and arson at a court hearing on Tuesday. A grand jury has indicted Sebastian Zapeta,
Suspect due in court after woman set on fire on NYC subway
Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of setting a woman on fire on the NYC subway, is due in court in the death of Debrina Kawam.
Suspect in New York City subway burning death pleads not guilty to murder charge
The man charged with burning a woman to death on a New York City subway train pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder and arson charges.
Man pleads not guilty to setting woman on fire on NYC subway
Sebastian Zapeta, the man accused of setting a woman on fire on the NYC subway, pleads not guilty in the death of Debrina ...
Woman set on fire in NYC subway is finally identified
Authorities have released the identity of the sleeping woman burned to death inside a New York City subway train by a man who ...
NYC transit boss downplays subway crimes that have gotten ‘in people’s heads’
New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority tried to defend the safety of the subway system despite several high-profile crimes threatening riders.
Woman set on fire on NYC subway identified as Debrina Kawam, of New Jersey, police say
The woman who was set on fire on the NYC subway has been identified as Debrina Kawam, of Toms River, New Jersey, police say.
NYC says subway crime down as congestion pricing begins
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said she has ordered more officers to patrol the subway trains and platforms following the ...
NYC subway burning suspect, Laken Riley’s killer among illegal immigrants accused of preying on Americans
Sebastian Zapeta, who allegedly set a woman on fire in the NYC subway, and Laken Riley's killer, Jose Ibarra, were among ...
Police took over a week to name the NYC subway burning victim. A fake name spread in the meantime
It took police more than a week to publicly identify Debrina Kawam, 57, as the woman who was fatally set on fire in a New ...