New York, Jan 01, (V7N) - In a tragic incident on December 22, 2024, 57-year-old Debrina Kawam was set on fire and burned to death while sitting inside a New York City subway train. Authorities identified Kawam as a resident of Toms River, New Jersey. New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared that she had briefly stayed in the city's homeless shelter system, though it was not confirmed whether she was homeless at the time of the attack.

The incident, which shocked the city and raised concerns over safety in public transit, occurred early in the morning on an F train subway car. The suspect, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan man who was in the country illegally, is facing charges of murder and arson. Prosecutors allege that Zapeta-Calil approached Kawam, set her on fire with a lighter, and used a shirt to fan the flames. He then sat on a nearby platform bench while Kawam burned before fleeing the scene. His image was captured on officers' body cameras.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the attack as "one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being."

Zapeta-Calil had been previously deported in June 2018 but re-entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are still investigating when and how he returned to the country.

The suspect was arrested on December 23 after being recognized by several high school students in a subway station in midtown Manhattan. During a court appearance, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg reported that Zapeta-Calil identified himself in photos related to the attack but claimed to have no knowledge of the incident. His attorney has not yet commented on the case.

Zapeta-Calil's next court appearance is scheduled for January 7, 2025.

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