Tag: coney-island

Man accused of setting woman on fire aboard F train pleads not guilty to first-degree murder

suspect in f train burning

Jan. 7, 2025 By Dean Moses The suspect accused of burning a woman alive on the F train in Brooklyn last month was arraigned on a grand jury indictment Tuesday as faith leaders announced a memorial service for the victim. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on first-degree…

PHOTOS: Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge kicks off 2025 with an icy splash

coney island polar bear plunge 2025

Jan. 2, 2025 By Adam Daly The annual Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge drew thousands of people to the beach on New Year’s Day as participants took a freezing dip to ring in 2025 while raising record funds for local nonprofit organizations. New Year’s Day was a little warmer than usual, with air temperatures…

Police identify woman burned to death on Coney Island F train

NY: Stillwell Ave Subway Stop Memorial in Brooklyn, NY. Photo taken on Dec 26, 2024 by Erica Price

Jan. 2, 2025 By Dean Moses Police have identified the woman who was burned to death aboard a Brooklyn F train in a shocking arson attack last week. Debrina Kawam, 57, was so badly burned it took authorities several weeks to put a name to her body. Sources familiar with the investigation say that…

Fires, fights and fresh starts: A look at what’s to come in Brooklyn in 2025

2025 in Brooklyn

Dec. 31, 2024 By Brooklyn Paper New year, same us — and by “us,” we mean fantastic local coverage you can’t find anywhere else. On the heels of a year full of pizza, portraits, parades, and protests, we’ve compiled a list of 10 big stories you can look for in the pages of our papers…

‘Victory over darkness’: Brighton Beach menorah lighting brings hope on first night of Hanukkah

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Dec. 30, 2024 By Lauren Rapp The Brighton Beach community came together last week near Coney Island for a joyous menorah lighting, marking the first night of Hanukkah with a celebration of light, unity and freedom. Rabbi David and Rebbetzin Yocheved Okunov of the Warbasse Jewish Heritage Congregation led families in kindling the neighborhood’s menorah…

Advocates hold prayer vigil in Coney Island for woman burned alive on F train, demand officials stem violence on subways

NY: Stillwell Ave Subway Stop Memorial in Brooklyn, NY. Photo taken on Dec 26, 2024 by Erica Price

Dec. 27, 2024 By Ethan Stark-Miller Community advocates gathered at Brooklyn’s Coney Island Stillwell Avenue subway station on Thursday afternoon to mourn a woman who was burned to death in the station on Sunday morning. The prayer vigil, hosted by activist Rev. Kevin McCall, was held to commemorate the yet-to-be-identified woman who died after being set…

Homeless man indicted for fatal stabbing on Brooklyn N train: DA

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Dec. 20, 2024 By Meaghan McGoldrick O'Neil A homeless man has been indicted for murder after allegedly fatally stabbing another man during a dispute on an N train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday. Zhongqian Chen, 32, was arraigned Dec. 17 before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen…