- 17:00Israel vows to strike Iran again if threatened, defense minister warns
- 16:20Morocco sees record 8.9 million tourists in first half of 2025
- 15:50Morocco aims to secure five-month wheat stock amid price drop
- 15:20Macron and Starmer to sign historic nuclear deterrence pact
- 14:50Chemsedine Talbi completes Sunderland move after stellar Club Brugge season
- 14:20Police in Marrakech detain Algerian-French suspect wanted by Interpol
- 13:30EU unveils stockpiling plan to prepare for crises and conflict
- 12:50Spain eases lockdowns as firefighters stabilize Catalonia forest blaze
- 12:20Spaniards favor China over the US in shifting global perceptions
Follow us on Facebook
Tragedy on New York Subway: Woman Set on Fire Identified
A tragic incident on December 22 has shocked New York City. Police have identified the woman who was burned to death inside a subway car in Brooklyn as 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey resident. Kawam was registered to an address in Toms River and had experienced a brief period in the city's homeless shelter system, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
The horrific event unfolded while Kawam was reportedly sleeping on a stationary subway car at the Coney Island station. Authorities allege that 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta set her on fire, used a shirt to intensify the flames, and then calmly observed from a nearby bench as the fire consumed her. Emergency responders pronounced Kawam dead at the scene.
Zapeta, who authorities say entered the United States illegally from Guatemala, was arrested hours after the incident. High school students recognized him from images circulated by police and provided a crucial tip. Zapeta has since been charged with murder and arson and remains in custody. He has not yet entered a plea.
"This was a malicious deed. A sleeping, vulnerable woman on our subway system," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated, emphasizing the cruelty of the act.
Mayor Adams expressed condolences to Kawam's family and highlighted the broader societal implications of the tragedy, reiterating the importance of providing care for vulnerable individuals living in the subway system.
This deeply unsettling event serves as a reminder of the urgent need for both public safety measures and support for those experiencing homelessness. The investigation continues as the community mourns a life lost in such a devastating manner.