Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey, has been identified as the victim of a tragic incident in a New York City subway earlier this month. Kawam was asleep on an idle F train at the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn when she was deliberately set on fire by a man just before 7:30 a.m. on December 22. The attacker fled the scene after the horrific act.
Initially, the New York Police Department (NYPD) reported that she was 61, but this was later corrected. Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences to Kawam’s family, describing the act as horrifying and stating it deeply affects the feelings of New Yorkers. He noted that Kawam had experienced homelessness in the city.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez emphasized that despite Kawam’s circumstances, her family is undoubtedly devastated by the tragedy, reinforcing the notion that homelessness does not erase the value of life.
A vigil for Kawam was held at the Stillwell Avenue station, showing community support for the victim. In connection with the case, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old from Guatemala, was arrested after being identified from police body camera footage. He is charged with multiple counts of murder and arson, with the prospect of life imprisonment without parole if convicted.
Officials have noted that Zapeta-Calil is in the United States unlawfully and had previously been deported, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding immigration and public safety.
This heartbreaking incident shines a light on the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals, urging society to not only address safety in public spaces but also to foster compassion for those experiencing homelessness. It serves as a reminder for communities to come together in support and understanding, fostering an environment where incidents like this can be prevented in the future.